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adjective
1.
characterized by cleverness or originality of invention or construction: an ingenious machine.
2.
cleverly inventive or resourceful: an ingenious press agent.
3.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ingeniōsus, equivalent to ingeni(um) natural disposition, cleverness (in- in-2 + gen- (base of gignere to bring into being; compare genitor) + -ium -ium) + -ōsus -ous
1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin ingeniōsus, equivalent to ingeni(um) natural disposition, cleverness (in- in-2 + gen- (base of gignere to bring into being; compare genitor) + -ium -ium) + -ōsus -ous
Related forms
in·gen·ious·ly, adverb
in·gen·ious·ness, noun
half-in·gen·ious, adjective
half-in·gen·ious·ly, adverb
half-in·gen·ious·ness, noun
EXPANDo·ver·in·gen·ious, adjective
o·ver·in·gen·ious·ly, adverb
o·ver·in·gen·ious·ness, noun
su·per·in·gen·ious, adjective
su·per·in·gen·ious·ly, adverb
su·per·in·gen·ious·ness, noun
COLLAPSESynonyms
2. bright, gifted, able, resourceful; adroit.
2. bright, gifted, able, resourceful; adroit.
Antonyms
2. unskillful.
2. unskillful.
Usage note
Ingenious and ingenuous are now distinct from each other and are not synonyms. Ingenious means “characterized by cleverness” or “cleverly inventive,” as in contriving new explanations or methods: an ingenious device; ingenious designers. Ingenuous means “candid” or “innocent”: an ingenuous and sincere statement; a thug with the ingenuous eyes of a choirboy.
Ingenious and ingenuous are now distinct from each other and are not synonyms. Ingenious means “characterized by cleverness” or “cleverly inventive,” as in contriving new explanations or methods: an ingenious device; ingenious designers. Ingenuous means “candid” or “innocent”: an ingenuous and sincere statement; a thug with the ingenuous eyes of a choirboy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Ingenious
is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
ingenious
late 15c., "intellectual, talented," from M.Fr. ingénieux "clever, ingenious" (O.Fr. engeignos), from L. ingeniosus "of good capacity, gifted with genius," from ingenium "innate qualities, ability," lit. "that which is inborn," from in- "in" + gignere, from PIE *gen- "produce." Sense of "skillful,
EXPANDclever" first recorded 1540s.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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