ingenious
gb/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs/ us/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs/
B2
English
~ 5200
ötletes, ötletesség, elmés, leleményes, leleményesség, találékony
B2
1
Usage pattern:
an ingenious [plan/idea/solution/device/method]
The engineers came up with an ingenious solution to reduce energy use in the building.
A mérnökök ötletes megoldással álltak elő az épület energiafelhasználásának csökkentésére.
It was an ingenious device that folded down to fit in your pocket.
Ötletes kis eszköz volt: össze lehetett hajtani, hogy elférjen a zsebedben.
Her novel uses an ingenious structure that keeps the reader guessing until the end.
The team developed an ingenious method for recycling plastic waste.
The lock has an ingenious design that makes it almost impossible to pick.
Learner examples
This is an ingenious idea for saving time at work.
Ez egy ötletes megoldás arra, hogy időt takarítsunk meg a munkahelyen.
He built an ingenious machine to water his plants automatically.
Leleményes gépet épített, amely automatikusan megöntözi a növényeit.
They found an ingenious way to move the heavy box up the stairs.
The company sells an ingenious tool for opening jars easily.
The movie has an ingenious plot with many surprises.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "ingenious" with "ingenuous". "Ingenious" means clever and original, while "ingenuous" means innocent or very open and honest. Another common error is thinking "ingenious" means the same as "genius"; instead, it describes something that shows cleverness, not a person’s overall high intelligence.
Meaning
clever and original (of things/ideas)
Collocations
ingenious solution
|ingenious device
|ingenious system
|ingenious method
|ingenious design
|ingenious idea
Synonyms
clever (more general and common; does not always suggest originality or invention.)
|
inventive (emphasizes the ability to create new things; often close in meaning to "ingenious".)
|
ingenious (used as a self-reference in playful contexts; normally avoid as synonym placeholder.)
Antonyms
clumsy (suggests something is badly made or awkward instead of cleverly designed.)
|
crude (means simple and roughly made, lacking the fine, clever detail of something ingenious.)
|
unimaginative (suggests a lack of creativity or originality in ideas or design.)
Themes
thinking
|technology
|work
|creativity
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
very clever and new in design or idea, especially for solving a problem well
Cleverly and originally made, planned, or thought out, especially in a way that solves a problem well.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
an ingenious [person/mind/inventor/child]
She is an ingenious engineer who can fix almost anything with a few simple tools.
Nagyon leleményes mérnök: néhány egyszerű szerszámmal szinte bármit meg tud javítani.
Their most ingenious programmer wrote the entire app in just two weeks.
A legleleményesebb programozójuk mindössze két hét alatt megírta az egész alkalmazást.
Only an ingenious scientist could have designed such an elegant experiment.
The teacher praised him as an ingenious student who always found unexpected answers.
Even as a child, he was ingenious at building toys from scraps.
Learner examples
My brother is very ingenious and can repair many things at home.
A bátyám nagyon leleményes, és sok mindent meg tud javítani otthon.
The company hired an ingenious designer to work on the new product.
A cég egy leleményes tervezőt vett fel, hogy az új terméken dolgozzon.
Her grandfather was an ingenious inventor with many ideas.
The team needs one more ingenious person to help solve this problem.
She is ingenious at finding cheap ways to travel.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "ingenious" directly as a noun (e.g. *"He is an ingenious"*). This is incorrect; you must say "He is an ingenious person" or use another noun after it. There is also confusion between "ingenious" and "genius": "ingenious" describes how clever someone is in a situation, while "a genius" is a person with very high, broad intelligence.
Meaning
clever and inventive (of people)
Collocations
ingenious inventor
|ingenious mind
|ingenious engineer
|an ingenious child
|an ingenious student
Synonyms
resourceful (focuses on finding practical solutions with what is available, not always very original.)
|
brilliant (stronger praise; suggests very high intelligence, not only clever problem-solving.)
|
inventive (very close in meaning; highlights talent for creating new things or ideas.)
Antonyms
slow-witted (describes someone who understands or thinks of solutions much less quickly or cleverly.)
|
unimaginative (suggests a person rarely has new or creative ideas.)
Themes
people
|thinking
|creativity
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
able to think of new and very clever ideas or ways to solve problems
Having a natural ability to think of clever and original ideas or to solve problems in new and effective ways.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ingenious
IPA
GB/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs/
US/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs/
Syllables & stress
in - geni - ous (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (geni)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ingenious
Word family
Core family
ingenuity
noun C1
ingeniously
adverb
Related words
ingeniousness
noun
Expressions
ingenious design
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs dɪzˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
very clever way something is designed
a very clever and new way that something is planned or shaped
Examples
- The tiny apartment feels large thanks to its ingenious design.
- The product won an award for its simple yet ingenious design.
ingenious device
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs dɪvˈaɪs/
fixed phrase
a cleverly designed tool or gadget
a tool or small machine that is made in a very clever way to do something special
Examples
- This ingenious device lets you charge your phone using sunlight.
- The museum displayed an ingenious device for measuring star positions.
ingenious mind
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
a very clever and inventive way of thinking
a mind that can think of very clever and new ideas or solutions
Examples
- The novel reflects the work of an ingenious mind.
- With such an ingenious mind, she quickly rose to the top of her field.
ingenious plan
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs plˈæn/
fixed phrase
a very clever strategy or plan
a very clever and new plan for reaching a goal or doing something difficult
Examples
- They came up with an ingenious plan to cut traffic in the city center.
- Her ingenious plan allowed them to finish the project two weeks early.
ingenious solution
1/ɪnd͡ʒˈinjəs səlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
a very clever way to solve something
a very clever and new answer to a problem that works very well
Examples
- Their ingenious solution saved the company thousands of dollars each year.
- After hours of discussion, the team finally agreed on an ingenious solution.