Origin: 1375–1425; late ME < L
ingeniōsus, equiv. to
ingeni(
um) natural disposition, cleverness (
in- in- 2 +
gen- (base of
gignere to bring into being;
cf. genitor ) +
-ium -ium ) +
-ōsus -ous 
Related forms: in⋅gen⋅ious⋅ly, adverb
in⋅gen⋅ious⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
2. bright, gifted, able, resourceful; adroit.
Antonyms:
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.
[in-jeen-yuh