Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

ingenuity

American  
[in-juh-noo-i-tee, -nyoo-] / ˌɪn dʒəˈnu ɪ ti, -ˈnyu- /

noun

plural

ingenuities

  1. the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful; inventiveness.

    a designer of great ingenuity.

  2. cleverness or skillfulness of conception or design.

    a device of great ingenuity.

  3. an ingenious contrivance or device.

  4. Obsolete. ingenuousness.

ingenuity British  
/ ˌɪndʒɪˈnjuːɪtɪ /

noun

  1. inventive talent; cleverness

  2. an ingenious device, act, etc

  3. archaic frankness; candour

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • hyperingenuity noun
  • superingenuity noun

Etymology

Origin of ingenuity

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin ingenuitās “innate virtue, etc.” ( ingenuous, -ity ); current senses by association with ingenious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Outside of this problem, I have no doubt you will put your ingenuity to good use.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The Stanford biologist bet against human ingenuity and lost to Julian Simon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

"The American story is filled with innovation and ingenuity, perseverance and prejudice. Tensions that have fuelled some of the most extraordinary artistic achievements in history."

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

But 12 months is a lot of runway for a young player whose all-court ingenuity, appetite for improvement and ability to shed setbacks have generated lift.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Again one stands in awe at the marvelous ingenuity and patience by which the mystery of the mitochondria has been solved.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.