ingenious
adjective
in·ge·nious
in-ˈjēn-yəs 
1
: having or showing an unusual aptitude for discovering, inventing, or contriving
an ingenious detective
2
: marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution
an ingenious contraption
3
obsolete
: showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment
ingeniously
adverb
ingeniousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of ingenious in a Sentence
How many dog-size bathrobes (an ingenious device) are out there?
—
David Colman, Vogue, April 2001
… spacecraft engineers tried to come up with ways to "unstick" the antenna. Those attempts failed, but by ingenious software and mission-sequencing techniques … the Galileo mission was still able to fulfill nearly all of its scientific requirements and return a rich quantity of scientific data …
—Louis Friedman et al., Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 1999
… an ingenious method of checking errors …
—W. David Gardner, Datamation, June 1982
The book has an ingenious plot.
She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly.
It was ingenious of him to arrange the schedule so precisely.
David Colman, Vogue, April 2001
… spacecraft engineers tried to come up with ways to "unstick" the antenna. Those attempts failed, but by ingenious software and mission-sequencing techniques … the Galileo mission was still able to fulfill nearly all of its scientific requirements and return a rich quantity of scientific data …
—Louis Friedman et al., Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 1999
… an ingenious method of checking errors …
—W. David Gardner, Datamation, June 1982
The book has an ingenious plot.
She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly.
It was ingenious of him to arrange the schedule so precisely.
Recent Examples on the Web
This isn’t the first time Paramount has embarked on, um, ingenious marketing campaigns, previously spearheading a viral PR run that included actors freaking out fans and ESPN commentators alike by flashing toothy smiles at MLB games.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
The dual zippers are an ingenious feature, allowing precise ventilation and the ability to free your arms while keeping the sleeping bag otherwise zipped tight.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024
With its often humorous and random statistics, Guinness never fails to uncover odd and ingenious inventions.
—Andrea Lewis, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024
Bobby rescues the passenger with a rudimentary pulley system, which feels both perilous and ingenious.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ingenious 
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Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
The dual zippers are an ingenious feature, allowing precise ventilation and the ability to free your arms while keeping the sleeping bag otherwise zipped tight.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024
With its often humorous and random statistics, Guinness never fails to uncover odd and ingenious inventions.
—Andrea Lewis, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024
Bobby rescues the passenger with a rudimentary pulley system, which feels both perilous and ingenious.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ingenious
Articles Related to ingenious
Dictionary Entries Near ingenious
Cite this Entry
“Ingenious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingenious. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ingenious
adjective
in·ge·nious
in-ˈjēn-yəs
: having or showing ingenuity : very clever
an ingenious plan
ingeniously
adverb
ingeniousness
noun
Etymology
from early French ingenieus "calling for or showing special intelligence or cleverness," from Latin ingeniosus (same meaning), from ingenium "natural ability or desire to do something, inborn ability," from in "in" and -genium, from gignere "to father, beget" — related to engine, genius, gin entry 1
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