adj
ingenious
ihn-JEEN-yuhs
adj
1
Clever and inventive; showing a smart, original way of solving a problem.
"She came up with an ingenious solution using just two paperclips."
"It was an ingenious plan that nobody saw coming."
How to Use Ingenious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a clever, original idea, invention, or person.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "ingenuous," which means innocent or naive — a completely different meaning.
Easily confused with
ingenuous
Common pairings
an ingenious idea
ingenious device
ingenious solution
Word Forms
more ingenious comparative, most ingenious superlative
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She came up with an _____ solution using just two paperclips.
Etymology
From Latin ingeniosus, "gifted with genius," from ingenium, "natural talent."