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Synonyms

resourceful

American  
[ri-sawrs-fuhl, -sohrs-, -zawrs-, -zohrs-] / rɪˈsɔrs fəl, -ˈsoʊrs-, -ˈzɔrs-, -ˈzoʊrs- /

adjective

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

    Synonyms:
    adroit, imaginative, able, talented
resourceful British  
/ rɪˈzɔːsfʊl, -ˈsɔːs- /

adjective

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

"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

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

Etymology

Origin of resourceful

First recorded in 1850–55; resource + -ful

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.

With Spurs maintaining a strict wage budget, their recruitment must be smart and resourceful whatever division they are in, but it is also important it is in line with the coach's needs and wishes.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

We didn’t have a lot of money, but my parents were resourceful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

The U.S. economy is driven by the extraordinarily resourceful, innovative, and hardworking private sector.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Fridge clean-out cooking turns potential waste into dinner that feels intentional, resourceful and, above all, comforting.

From Salon • Dec. 28, 2025

Asase’s weapon is much more resourceful than I am, though.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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.