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

For the average person, every entrepreneurial success story is an inspiration, a reminder that hard work and ingenuity can accomplish great things. — K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Artificial intelligence is the latest example of American ingenuity shaping the global economy. — Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

This style of theft, known as distillation, is often driven by impatience, fear of competitive failure, or doubts about one’s own ingenuity. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026

Scout Motors, the iconic American brand preparing to launch its next generation of all-electric and EREV (extended range electric vehicles) trucks and SUVs, brought its own celebration of music, craftsmanship, and ingenuity. — Lori Majewski, Rolling Stone, 3 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