resourceful

[ri-sawrs-fuhl, -sohrs-, -zawrs-, -zohrs-]

adjective

1. able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations, difficulties, etc.

   Synonyms: adroit, imaginative, able, talented

resourceful

/ rɪˈzɔːsfʊl, -ˈsɔːs- /

adjective

1. ingenious, capable, and full of initiative, esp in dealing with difficult situations

Other Word Forms

• resourcefully adverb
• resourcefulness noun
• self-resourceful adjective
• self-resourcefully adverb
• self-resourcefulness noun
• unresourceful adjective
• unresourcefully adverb
• unresourcefulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resourceful¹

First recorded in 1850–55; resource + -ful

Example Sentences

The firm told Australia's Seven News: "Teens are resourceful, and may attempt to circumvent age assurance measures to access restricted services."

Read more on BBC

She was a loyal friend, calm in a crisis, resourceful in a pinch, and optimistic to a fault.

Read more on Literature

“And for fashioning such cozy beds on short notice. That was very resourceful of you. Agatha Swanburne would be proud. ‘Whatever will do in a pinch, will do,’ as she liked to say.”

Read more on Literature

Let’s hope that this Iron Lady is as tough and resourceful as the first.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Are these resourceful misfits the right people to join if you want to survive the apocalypse?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• active 
• adventurous 
• aggressive 
• bright 
• capable 
• creative 
• enterprising 
• ingenious 
• intelligent 
• inventive 
• talented