ingenious
/ɪnˈdʒiːniəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈdʒiːniəs/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈjēn-yəs/ (ame, mw)
ingenious — adjective
- ingeniouspositive
- more ingeniouscomparative
- most ingenioussuperlative
1. A person who is ingenious is naturally good at finding clever and original ways
A person who is ingenious is naturally good at finding clever and original ways to solve problems or create useful things. A design, idea, or machine described as ingenious is made or planned in a highly clever way, using fresh thinking that works well for its purpose.
Mira came up with an ingenious way to keep vegetables fresh without using electricity.
collocation: ingenious way to + verb
This wheelchair is so ingenious that it folds small enough to fit inside a car trunk.
pattern: so ingenious that + result clause
Nicholas developed an ingenious system for sorting recycling that the whole neighbourhood now uses.
Rafael came up with an ingenious method for teaching young children to read music.
- clever
more general and less formal; can describe simple smartness
- inventive
focuses on the ability to create or think of new things
- resourceful
emphasises the ability to handle difficult situations with limited means
- clumsy
describes something badly made or planned
- unimaginative
describes something lacking new or original ideas