ingenuity
gb/ɪnd͡ʒənˈuəti/ us/ɪnd͡ʒənˈuəti/
C1
Anglais
~ 6600
Sens
0 sens
Nom
C1
property
1
clever and original problem-solving ability
The skill of finding new and clever ways to solve a problem or make something work.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] shows ingenuity in [doing something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "ingenuity" with "ingenious" and "ingenuous". "Ingenuity" is a noun meaning cleverness in solving problems. "Ingenious" is an adjective meaning clever or inventive. "Ingenuous" is a different adjective meaning open and honest, and is not related to problem-solving.
Synonymes
inventiveness (Stresses coming up with new ideas, not always focused on practical problem-solving.)
|
resourcefulness (Highlights using what is available in a smart way, often in difficult situations.)
|
creativity (Broader and more general; can refer to art and ideas, not only solving concrete problems.)
|
cleverness (Can sound more casual and sometimes slightly negative, as if someone is too smart or tricky.)
Antonymes
incompetence (Lack of the skill or ability needed to solve problems well.)
|
stupidity (A strong, informal word for not being able to think or understand well, the opposite of mental cleverness.)
Collocations
human ingenuity
|show ingenuity
|through sheer ingenuity
|remarkable ingenuity
|technical ingenuity
|Yankee ingenuity
Thèmes
work
|innovation
|creativity
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- With a bit of ingenuity, they turned the small attic into a comfortable bedroom.
- The team’s ingenuity saved the company millions of dollars.
- Her ingenuity in the kitchen means she can make a good meal from almost nothing.
- Human ingenuity has produced solutions to many environmental problems.
- The rescue operation required great courage and ingenuity.
Exemples pédagogiques
- They used their ingenuity to fix the car with simple tools.
- The teacher praised the student’s ingenuity in solving the math problem.
- With some ingenuity, we can finish this job today.
- His ingenuity helped the small business grow.
- The company depends on the ingenuity of its workers.
Nom
C1
property
2
quality of being cleverly designed
A special quality of a plan, machine, or system that shows it was made in a very clever and new way.
Schéma d’usage :
the ingenuity of [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may use "ingenuity" directly before a noun (e.g. *"an ingenuity machine"*). In this sense, it is more natural to say "the ingenuity of the machine" or "a machine of great ingenuity." Use the adjective "ingenious" when you want to modify a noun directly ("an ingenious machine").
Synonymes
ingenuous design (Less common and more technical; focuses specifically on the design itself rather than the broader quality of cleverness.)
|
clever design (More informal phrase that directly describes a design as smart or well thought out.)
|
originality (Stresses newness and uniqueness, not always the practical problem-solving aspect.)
Antonymes
crudeness (Describes something made in a simple, rough way without fine or clever design.)
|
inelegance (Focuses on lack of grace or smart simplicity in the design or solution.)
Collocations
the ingenuity of the design
|engineering ingenuity
|mechanical ingenuity
|architectural ingenuity
|software ingenuity
|marketing ingenuity
Thèmes
technology
|design
|innovation
|science
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The ingenuity of the device lies in its simple but effective locking mechanism.
- Architects admired the bridge for its structural ingenuity.
- The app’s success is due largely to the ingenuity of its user interface.
- Critics praised the film’s narrative ingenuity and playful structure.
- We were impressed by the ingenuity of the packaging, which used no plastic at all.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The ingenuity of the machine makes it easy to use.
- Everyone talked about the ingenuity of the new phone design.
- The ingenuity of this system saves both time and money.
- I like the ingenuity of the small house; every space has a use.
- The ingenuity of the packaging keeps the food fresh for longer.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
ingenuity
API
GB/ɪnd͡ʒənˈuəti/
US/ɪnd͡ʒənˈuəti/
Syllabes et accentuation
in - genu - ity (3 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ity)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: ingenuity
- Plural: ingenuity
Famille de mots
Core family
ingenious
adjective B2
ingeniously
adverb
Advanced or less common
ingeniousness
noun
Expressions
Aucune expression n’est encore associée à cette entrée.