ingenuity
/ˌɪndʒɪˈnjuːɪti
/noun [mass noun]
The quality of being clever, original, and inventive: considerable ingenuity must be employed in writing software the ingenuity of Haydn’s scoring...
- In every way - performance, build quality, ingenuity of design - it is the better car.
- He resolves to build a monument to nineteenth century ingenuity and invention that will blend fantasy and reality.
- This is because there was little structural inventiveness or technical ingenuity.
Synonyms
inventiveness, creativity, imagination, originality, innovation, resourcefulness, enterprise, insight, inspiration, perceptiveness, perception, intuition, flair, finesse, artistry, genius;
cleverness, intelligence, brilliance, mastery, talent, skill;
sharpness, astuteness, acumen, acuity, sharp-wittedness, quick-wittedness, quickness, shrewdness;
sophistication
informal thinking outside the box
Origin
Late 16th century (also in the senses 'nobility' and 'ingenuousness'): from Latin ingenuitas 'ingenuousness', from ingenuus 'inborn'. The current meaning arose by confusion of ingenuous with ingenious.