ingenious
ihn-JEEN-yuhs
Ingenious (adj) means Clever and inventive; showing a smart, original way of solving a problem. Example: “She came up with an ingenious solution using just two paperclips.”
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
Common pairings
an ingenious idea
ingenious device
ingenious solution
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ingenious
- Superlative
- most ingenious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She came up with an _____ solution using just two paperclips.
Etymology
From Latin ingeniosus, "gifted with genius," from ingenium, "natural talent."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ingenious
See all rhymes for ingenious →Frequently asked questions
What does “ingenious” mean?
The word “ingenious” means clever and inventive; showing a smart, original way of solving a problem. In plain terms, describes a clever, original idea, invention, or person.
How do you pronounce “ingenious”?
“Ingenious” is pronounced ihn-JEEN-yuhs (/ɪnˈd͡ʒiːnjəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ingenious” in a sentence?
Here is “ingenious” used in a sentence: “She came up with an ingenious solution using just two paperclips.”
What part of speech is “ingenious”?
“Ingenious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ingenious” come from?
The word “ingenious” comes from Latin. From Latin ingeniosus, "gifted with genius," from ingenium, "natural talent.".
Is “ingenious” a common word?
“Ingenious” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
