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19 results for: Ingenious

Dictionary Entries (11 more entries. View all »)
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
in·gen·ious    Audio Help   [in-jeen-yuhs] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.characterized by cleverness or originality of invention or construction: an ingenious machine.
2.cleverly inventive or resourceful: an ingenious press agent.
3.Obsolete.
a.intelligent; showing genius.
b.ingenuous.
[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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Thesaurus Entries
  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  inventive
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Characterized by or productive of new things or new ideas.
Synonyms:  creative, innovative, innovatory, original
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus - Cite This Source
Main Entry:  resourceful
Part of Speech:  adjective
Definition:  Able to use the means at one's disposal to meet situations effectively.
Synonyms:  inventive
Source:  Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition
by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary.
Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.


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