resourceful

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

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adjective

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

Origin of resourceful

First recorded in 1850–55; resource + -ful

Related formsre·source·ful·ly, adverbre·source·ful·ness, nounself-re·source·ful, adjectiveself-re·source·ful·ly, adverbself-re·source·ful·ness, nounun·re·source·ful, adjectiveun·re·source·ful·ly, adverbun·re·source·ful·ness, noun

Synonyms for resourceful

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talented, able, imaginative, adroit.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for resourcefulness

inventiveness, ingenuity, stratagem, talent, appliance, creation, course, initiative, measure, cleverness, substitute, wealth, support, system, makeshift, source, stock, way, capital, hoard

Examples from the Web for resourcefulness

Contemporary Examples of resourcefulness

However you felt about it, you had to admire the skill and resourcefulness of the detectives.
Hero or Criminal? James Brady, the WTC Ironworker Who Jumped Off the Building
Michael Daly
March 25, 2014
He then explains how the behind-the-scenes engineers solved those problems through experiment, ingenuity, and resourcefulness.
The Nerds Who Won World War II
Marc Wortman
February 7, 2013

Historical Examples of resourcefulness

In the first place, I am learning to admire the resourcefulness of these people around us.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
I had faith in Potokomik and his resourcefulness, and was hopeful they would get out safely.
The Long Labrador Trail
Dillon Wallace
This resourcefulness and fertility of method are conspicuous characteristics of him.
Herbert Hoover
Vernon Kellogg
And in alertness and resourcefulness it is second only to the desire for wealth itself.
Is civilization a disease?
Stanton Coit
One could make the desert his if one had resourcefulness and courage.
The Forbidden Trail
Honor Willsie

British Dictionary definitions for resourcefulness

resourceful

adjective

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

Derived Formsresourcefully, adverbresourcefulness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for resourcefulness

resourceful

adj.

1807, from resource + -ful. Related: Resourcefully; resourcefulness.