ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ingenious

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnˈdʒinjəs// UK //ɪndʒˈiːnɪəs// in·ge·nious

adj. very clever and original. You use this to describe a person who is good at solving problems or an idea that is smart and new.

adj. characterised by cleverness, originality, and inventiveness in design or execution. Often describes solutions, mechanisms, or individuals who demonstrate high creative intelligence.


SIMPLE

She found an ingenious way to fix the broken handle.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect developed an ingenious plan to maximize natural light in the narrow apartment building.

COMPLEX

While the initial problem seemed insurmountable, the team's ingenious use of recycled materials allowed them to complete the bridge well under budget.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French ingénieux, from Old French engenious, from Latin ingeniōsus (“endowed with good natural capacity, gifted with genius”), from ingenium (“innate or natural quality, natural capacity, genius”), from in- (“in”) + gignere (“to produce”), Old Latin genere. See also engine.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

Pitfall

He is an ingenuous engineer.He is an ingenious engineer.Learners often confuse 'ingenious' (clever) with 'ingenuous' (innocent or naive).

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