ingenious
adjective
in·ge·nious in-ˈjēn-yəs 
1
: having or showing an unusual aptitude for discovering, inventing, or contriving
an ingenious detective
2
: marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution
an ingenious contraption
3
obsolete : showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment
ingeniously adverb
ingeniousness noun
Synonyms
- clever
- creative
- imaginative
- innovational
- innovative
- innovatory
- inventive
- original
- originative
- Promethean
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
How many dog-size bathrobes (an ingenious device) are out there? 
David Colman, Vogue, April 2001 … spacecraft engineers tried to come up with ways to "unstick" the antenna. Those attempts failed, but by ingenious software and mission-sequencing techniques … the Galileo mission was still able to fulfill nearly all of its scientific requirements and return a rich quantity of scientific data … Louis Friedman et al., Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 1999 … an ingenious method of checking errors … W. David Gardner, Datamation, June 1982 The book has an ingenious plot. She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly. It was ingenious of him to arrange the schedule so precisely. See More
David Colman, Vogue, April 2001 … spacecraft engineers tried to come up with ways to "unstick" the antenna. Those attempts failed, but by ingenious software and mission-sequencing techniques … the Galileo mission was still able to fulfill nearly all of its scientific requirements and return a rich quantity of scientific data … Louis Friedman et al., Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 1999 … an ingenious method of checking errors … W. David Gardner, Datamation, June 1982 The book has an ingenious plot. She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly. It was ingenious of him to arrange the schedule so precisely. See More Recent Examples on the Web The South African photographer Lebohang Kganye came up with an ingenious way to acknowledge this process. Michael Johnston, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022 Our keto-friendly recipe collection is made up of ingenious ways to prepare delicious cuts of chicken, beef and pork in new ways, as well as fast shortcuts for prepping lean seafood in delicious, fresh flavors. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 5 Aug. 2022 But Birdy is spirited, clever and adventurous and ready to put off any suitor that comes in increasingly ingenious ways. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2022 When Covid hit, Pederson developed ingenious ways to maintain — and even strengthen — these unique and important relationships between child and horse. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 22 July 2022 From solar skins to rooftop photovoltaic panels, naval architects have already devised a number of ingenious ways for yachts to generate power from the sun. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 June 2022 Wise leaders a few generations ago had the ingenious idea of turning nonrenewable resources into generational wealth. Anchorage Daily News, 5 Aug. 2022 Peele’s ingenious idea is to use that instinct against us. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2022 Adidas’s ingenious solution: a two-part bottom band with left and right sections that overlap in the back, stretch around the side body and then hook onto fabric loops on the front. The Editors, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2022 See More
Michael Johnston, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022 Our keto-friendly recipe collection is made up of ingenious ways to prepare delicious cuts of chicken, beef and pork in new ways, as well as fast shortcuts for prepping lean seafood in delicious, fresh flavors. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 5 Aug. 2022 But Birdy is spirited, clever and adventurous and ready to put off any suitor that comes in increasingly ingenious ways. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2022 When Covid hit, Pederson developed ingenious ways to maintain — and even strengthen — these unique and important relationships between child and horse. Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 22 July 2022 From solar skins to rooftop photovoltaic panels, naval architects have already devised a number of ingenious ways for yachts to generate power from the sun. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 June 2022 Wise leaders a few generations ago had the ingenious idea of turning nonrenewable resources into generational wealth. Anchorage Daily News, 5 Aug. 2022 Peele’s ingenious idea is to use that instinct against us. K. Austin Collins, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2022 Adidas’s ingenious solution: a two-part bottom band with left and right sections that overlap in the back, stretch around the side body and then hook onto fabric loops on the front. The Editors, Outside Online, 10 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English ingenyous, from Middle French ingenieus, from Latin ingeniosus, from ingenium natural capacity — more at engine entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Kids Definition
ingenious
adjective
in·ge·nious in-ˈjēn-yəs
: showing ingenuity : clever
an ingenious idea
ingenious
adjective
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an ingenious but rather eccentric inventor Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- inventive
- innovative
- creative
- imaginative
- innovational
- talented
- clever
- original
- gifted
- innovatory
- originative
- prolific
- inspired
- resourceful
- Promethean
- generative
- fruitful
- fertile
- fecund
- productive
- germinal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimaginative
- unoriginal
- uncreative
- imitative
- uninspired
- uninventive
- unproductive
- infertile
- talentless
2
as in clever
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing a chair that can't tip over is quite ingenious Synonyms & Similar Words
- clever
- innovative
- inventive
- imaginative
- creative
- artful
- practical
- useful
- sophisticated
- convenient
- adventurous
- original
- intelligent
- groundbreaking
- nifty
- neat
- handy
- novel
- smart
- complex
- visionary
- fresh
- deft
- gimmicky
- expert
- adroit
- dexterous
- tricky
- cleverish
- gadgety
- handsome
- brainy
- dextrous
- sharp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimaginative
- uncreative
- dull
- useless
- impractical
- stodgy
- hackneyed
- derivative
- unoriginal
- pedantic
- pedestrian
- canned
- assembly-line
- cookie-cutter
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of ingenious are adroit, clever, and cunning. While all these words mean "having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving," ingenious suggests the power of inventing or discovering a new way of accomplishing something.
an ingenious software engineer
The meanings of adroit and ingenious largely overlap; however, adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.
an adroit negotiator
The words clever and ingenious can be used in similar contexts, but clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude.
a person clever with horses
Although the words cunning and ingenious have much in common, cunning implies great skill in constructing or creating.
a filmmaker cunning in his use of special effects