ingenious

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Contents

English [edit]

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Latin ingeniosus (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. Compare French ingénieux; see also engine.

Pronunciation [edit]

Adjective [edit]

ingenious (comparative more ingenious, superlative most ingenious)

  1. Displaying genius or brilliance; tending to invent.
    This fellow is ingenious; he fixed a problem I didn't even know I had.
  2. Characterized by genius; cleverly done or contrived.
    That is an ingenious model of the atom.
  3. Witty; original; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious.
    He sent me an ingenious reply for an email.

Usage notes [edit]

Do not confuse with ingenuous.

Synonyms [edit]

Related terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

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References [edit]