Meaning & Definition
noun
The quality of being clever, original, and inventive.
Her ingenuity in solving complex problems earned her a promotion.
A clever device or trick.
The engineer's ingenuity led to the creation of a more efficient engine.
Inventiveness or resourcefulness in devising ways to solve problems.
His ingenuity in navigating the difficult situation impressed everyone.
Etymology
Late Middle English: from Latin ingenuitas, from ingenium 'inborn talent'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
thinking outside the box:
Finding creative solutions to problems that are different from the usual methods.
crafty ingenuity:
Skillful and clever use of resources to create something effective.
Slang Meanings
MacGyvering
He managed to fix the car with just a paperclip and duct tape; that's some serious MacGyvering!
Hack
Her hack to organize the kitchen was pure ingenuity.