ingenuity

noun

in·​ge·​nu·​i·​ty ˌin-jə-ˈnü-ə-tē How to pronounce ingenuity (audio)
-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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In much contemporary literary fiction, that’s often replaced by ingenuity. New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 Through its work with 245 member clubs in 149 countries, the FIA and its partners are using lessons from the track, the ingenuity of Silicon Valley and the rigour of global standards, to make America’s roads safer for everyone. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025 The human experience has to stay at the center of all design, because the technology doesn’t replace human ingenuities and humans. Ayesha Javed, Time, 14 Oct. 2025 Educators are split too, amused by the ingenuity, yet frustrated that students are still finding ways to drift off task during lessons. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ingenuity

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of ingenuity was circa 1592

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ingenuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingenuity. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on ingenuity

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