ingenuity

noun

in·​ge·​nu·​i·​ty ˌin-jə-ˈnü-ə-tē How to pronounce ingenuity (audio)
-ˈnyü-
plural ingenuities
1
a
: skill or cleverness in devising or combining : inventiveness
b
: cleverness or aptness of design or contrivance
2
: an ingenious device or contrivance
3
obsolete : candor, ingenuousness

Examples of ingenuity in a Sentence

She showed amazing ingenuity in finding ways to cut costs. It will take considerable ingenuity to fix these problems.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Some might call it a bastardization, others might call it genius: a perfect union of immigrant food and American ingenuity. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024 Visitors gravitate to a spot that defines homegrown American musical ingenuity. Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 27 Oct. 2024 That same ingenuity carries over to puzzle-solving. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024 Anger will not solve a problem, but ingenuity, being true to yourself and following through with what matters will. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ingenuity 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of ingenuity was circa 1592

Dictionary Entries Near ingenuity

Cite this Entry

“Ingenuity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingenuity. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ingenuity

noun
in·​ge·​nu·​ity
ˌin-jə-ˈn(y)ü-ət-ē
plural ingenuities
1
: skill or cleverness in discovering, inventing, or planning
2
: an ingenious device

More from Merriam-Webster on ingenuity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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