ingenuity Hear it!

ingenuity Definition

in·ge·nu·ity (in′jə no̵̅o̅′ə tē, -nyo̵̅o̅′-)

noun

  1. Obsolete the quality of being ingenuous
  2. the quality of being ingenious; cleverness, originality, skill, etc.
  3. pl. ingenuities -·ties an ingenious device

Etymology: L ingenuitas < ingenuus (see ingenuous): ingenuitysense infl. by assoc. with ingenious

ingenuity Synonyms

ingenuity

n.

inventiveness, imagination, resourcefulness; see ability 1, 2, originality.

ingenuity Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • instill: Our 20-year tradition of distinctive design instills ingenuity and originality into every toy.
  • admire: One has to admire the ingenuity of the croquet community.
  • underestimate: The case for men: Never underestimate the ingenuity of man.
  • demonstrate: Vehicles in these events are the most specialized in the sport with tremendous ingenuity demonstrated by the constructors, see about safaris.
  • require: It does require ingenuity to find excuses for them being incoherent.
  • display: The ingenuity displayed in their craft was often amusing.

Adjective modifier

  • human: The whole of human ingenuity is against a cold shower.
  • sheer: Yet he makes up for this by sheer ingenuity of script.
  • mechanical: Despite its mechanical ingenuity the ferry was never a commercial success principally due to insufficient traffic.
  • considerable: Yet considerable ingenuity was devoted to ignoring these figures.
  • remarkable: Their diverse key systems display his remarkable ingenuity for design, also evident in his patents.
  • Victorian: In fact it is tin, stained to resemble wood a fine example of Victorian ingenuity.

Preposition: on

  • part: Agility, initiative, and ingenuity on the part of CSS leaders are essential.

Noun used with modifier

  • engineering: The Trust's modern caravan is a marvel of engineering ingenuity with every basic amenity built into the construction.
  • design: This example illustrates our design ingenuity when creating a functional, space-saving and attractive flight of stairs.

Possessives

  • man: During prehistoric ages, the art of self defense was pretty much confined to man's own ingenuity.

Preposition: of

  • engineer: The little gun is truly a jewel, and a great tribute to the ingenuity of the engineers at Steyr.
  • man: The case for men: Never underestimate the ingenuity of man.
  • people: Captain Cook tells us that the ingenuity of these people appears in nothing more than in their canoes.
  • designer: The ingenuity of the designers is to reposition them so as to ensure their benefits are maximized.