ingenuity

noun

in·​ge·​nu·​i·​ty ˌin-jə-ˈnü-ə-tē 

-ˈnyü-

plural ingenuities

1

a

: skill or cleverness in devising or combining : inventiveness

b

: cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance

2

: an ingenious device or contrivance

3

obsolete : candor, ingenuousness

Synonyms of ingenuity

• creativity
• creativeness
• imagination
• talent
• innovativeness
• inventiveness
• imaginativeness

Examples of ingenuity in a Sentence

She showed amazing ingenuity in finding ways to cut costs.

It will take considerable ingenuity to fix these problems.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will take over the corridors of American power this weekend, the result of more than a year of political maneuvering and design ingenuity. — Adam Kilgore, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

That is another small example of the ingenuity HBO showed over the final weekend before final Emmys voting opened. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026

Tovar admitted that the inspiration for the mega-hit was part musical ingenuity and part divine intervention. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

These provide a visible stage where nontechnical builders can showcase their work, gather feedback and be recognized by leadership for their ingenuity. — Karen Dahut, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for ingenuity

• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity
• fatuity
• gratuity
• tenuity
• vacuity
• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• incongruity

Kids Definition

ingenuity

noun

in·​ge·​nu·​ity

ˌin-jə-ˈn(y)ü-ət-ē

plural ingenuities

1

: skill or cleverness in discovering, inventing, or planning

2

: an ingenious device