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Synonyms

resourceful

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

adjective

  1. An image of the word resourceful as defined by able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations, difficulties, etc.

    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


Etymology

Origin of resourceful

First recorded in 1850–55; resource + -ful


Explanation

If you are interviewing employees for your new pet store, you may want to ask if they are resourceful. If they are, it means they are good at problem solving, and this could come in very handy. Think of resourceful people as “full of resources,” or tools for coming up with solutions. They adapt well to new or difficult situations and they are able to think creatively. For example, if a snake gets loose in the pet store, a resourceful person will be able to figure out how to lure it back into its cage again.

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Vocabulary lists containing resourceful

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.

See Examples For:

The findings add to a growing body of research portraying Neanderthals as resourceful humans who understood and exploited the natural materials around them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

Meanwhile, Wallis’ Angie is simply a resourceful single mother striving to get home to her 6-year-old daughter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

The first was resourceful naval resistance on Lake Champlain, led by Benedict Arnold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

But, ever resourceful, she turned those limited resources into an advantage - creating her iconic fishnet gloves from rags and cast-offs.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

“Don’t worry, Joy. I bet you Ziggy is fine. You know, dogs are resourceful animals. They always manage to find a safe space when they need one. He’ll turn up. We’ll keep searching.”

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

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