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

Over the past century, human ingenuity and technological progress have created numerous ways for humanity to destroy itself, including through nuclear war, climate change, biological threats and, most recently, artificial intelligence. —Daniel Holz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Informed by the sea sponge's structural ingenuity and ecological purpose, the towers offer a uniquely Vancouver expression of sustainability, beauty, and vertical urbanism. —Adam Williams april 03, New Atlas, 3 Apr. 2026

Again, more catnip for private equity turnaround artists and American financial ingenuity. —Andrés Martinez, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026

Humanity has long attempted to create ever-larger statues to express reverence for figures both human and divine, and new giants continue to rise from the foundations of human imagination and ingenuity. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for ingenuity

• ambiguity
• contiguity
• continuity
• incongruity
• perpetuity
• perspicuity
• promiscuity
• superfluity
• acuity
• annuity
• circuity
• congruity

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