ingenuity

[in-juh-noo-i-tee, -nyoo-]

noun

plural

ingenuities 

1. the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful; inventiveness.

   a designer of great ingenuity.

2. cleverness or skillfulness of conception or design.

   a device of great ingenuity.

3. an ingenious contrivance or device.

4. Obsolete.,  ingenuousness.

ingenuity

/ ˌɪndʒɪˈnjuːɪtɪ /

noun

1. inventive talent; cleverness

2. an ingenious device, act, etc

3. archaic,  frankness; candour

Other Word Forms

• hyperingenuity noun
• superingenuity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingenuity¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin ingenuitās “innate virtue, etc.” ( ingenuous, -ity ); current senses by association with ingenious

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingenuity¹

C16: from Latin ingenuitās a freeborn condition, outlook consistent with such a condition, from ingenuus native, freeborn (see _ingenuous ); meaning influenced by _ingenious

Example Sentences

"Private sector enterprise and ingenuity and innovation thrives best when it's kept at a certain sort of arm's length from politics and politicians," he added.

From BBC

“They’re real kids who use their ingenuity and smarts for the good of the community.”

From Los Angeles Times

But hearing these all-timers stacked up in rapid succession was a thrill of its own — a reminder of the blend of efficiency and ingenuity attained on a daily basis at Hitsville, U.S.A.

From Los Angeles Times

The world's oldest boomerang is older than previously thought, casting new light on the ingenuity of humans living at the time.

From BBC

It was an attack of astonishing ingenuity – unprecedented, broad, and 18 months in the making.

From BBC

Related Words

• ability 
• brilliance 
• dexterity 
• flair 
• genius 
• gumption 
• intelligence 
• inventiveness www.thesaurus.com
• resourcefulness www.thesaurus.com
• shrewdness 
• skill 
• talent 
• wisdom 
• wit