ingenuity

noun in·ge·nu·i·ty \ ˌin-jə-ˈnü-ə-tē , -ˈnyü- \

Definition of ingenuity

plural ingenuities

1 obsolete :candor, ingenuousness

2 a :skill or cleverness in devising or combining :inventiveness

b :cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance

3 :an ingenious device or contrivance

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See ingenuity defined for kids

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 of ingenuity from the Web

Targeted at an ethnically diverse and multigenerational audience, the programming lineup features heroic series and movies and presents original content that celebrates the ingenuity, craftsmanship, courage, and creativity of everyday people.

— posted jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Joey Ryan, feud of sons on Lucha Underground on El Rey Network," 29 Aug. 2017
Human ingenuity knows no borders, as countless cultures boast some version of sausage.

— joseph hernandez, chicagotribune.com, "Guide to Chicago sausages — from brats to longanisa to barese," 24 Aug. 2017
Credit for this goes to her dazzling instrumental command, deeply expressive playing and unfaltering ingenuity.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Top weekend events: Cedric the Entertainer, Summergrass San Diego Bluegrass Festival, Mariachi summit," 18 Aug. 2017
Hailed as a feat of American ingenuity, the dam provides electricity and irrigation for agriculture in what was once an arid high desert plateau.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "What I did on my summer vacation," 11 Aug. 2017
Who could be against highlighting the ingenuity, self-reliance, and success of our nation’s homegrown entrepreneurs and manufacturers?

— michelle malkin, National Review, "Manufacturing Hate for ‘Made in America’," 19 July 2017
What follows is an intensely perverse game of hide-and-seek, with Joan and her son finding sanctuary in spots of varying ingenuity.

— jennifer senior, New York Times, "Hunted at the Zoo in ‘Fierce Kingdom’," 19 July 2017
The charm of the experiment resided in its simple ingenuity; from common household items Darwin had made a marvelous discovery: 537 plants!

— Longreads, "Late in Life, Thoreau Became a Serious Darwinist," 13 July 2017
Nevertheless, by and large, the scientists have an enormous confidence in the ingenuity of humans — a confidence perhaps bolstered by their appreciation for climate change, which is, after all, a human invention, too.

— david wallace-wells, Daily Intelligencer, "When Will the Planet Be Too Hot For Humans? Much, Much Sooner Than You Imagine.," 9 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ingenuity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ingenuity

circa 1592

ingenuity Synonyms

Synonyms

cleverness, creativeness, imagination, imaginativeness, ingeniousness, creativity, innovativeness, invention, inventiveness, originality

Related Words

fecundity, fertility, fruitfulness, productiveness, productivity, prolificacy, prolificity, prolificness; capableness, resourcefulness; genius, giftedness, talent; fire, inspiration, muse

Near Antonyms

dryness, dullness (also dulness)

INGENUITY Defined for English Language Learners

ingenuity

noun

Definition of ingenuity for English Language Learners

: skill or cleverness that allows someone to solve problems, invent things, etc.
: a clever device or method

INGENUITY Defined for Kids

ingenuity

noun in·ge·nu·ity \ ˌin-jə-ˈnü-ə-tē , -ˈnyü- \

Definition of ingenuity for Students

plural ingenuities

:skill or cleverness in discovering, inventing, or planning

Learn More about ingenuity

See words that rhyme with ingenuity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ingenuity Spanish Central: Translation of ingenuity Nglish: Translation of ingenuity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ingenuity for Arabic speakers

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Examples of ingenuity in a Sentence

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ingenuity Synonyms

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INGENUITY Defined for English Language Learners

ingenuity

Definition of ingenuity for English Language Learners

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