ingenuity
Meaning: The quality of being clever, original, and inventive; the ability to devise creative solutions.
Ingenuity celebrates the inventive, problem-solving capacity of the human mind. It implies not merely intelligence but a creative resourcefulness — the ability to fashion novel solutions from limited materials or under difficult constraints. It is used of individuals, designs, systems, and strategies. It carries strongly positive connotations and appears frequently in science, engineering, and media contexts. Common collocations include 'human ingenuity,' 'remarkable ingenuity,' 'engineering ingenuity,' and 'sheer ingenuity.'
Examples
- The ingenuity of Brunel's engineering solutions still commands admiration nearly two centuries later. 布鲁内尔工程方案的独创性在近两个世纪后仍令人钦佩。El ingenio de las soluciones de ingeniería de Brunel sigue despertando admiración casi dos siglos después.ブルネルの工学的解決策の独創性は、約2世紀後の今なお称賛を集めている。브루넬의 공학적 해결책에 담긴 독창성은 거의 2세기가 지난 지금도 여전히 감탄을 자아낸다.
- Wartime rationing demanded considerable ingenuity from home cooks working with limited ingredients. 战时配给制要求家庭厨师在食材有限的情况下发挥相当的独创性。El racionamiento bélico exigía un ingenio considerable a los cocineros domésticos que trabajaban con ingredientes limitados.戦時中の配給制は、限られた食材で料理する家庭の料理人にかなりの創意工夫を要求した。전시 배급제는 한정된 재료로 요리하는 가정 요리사들에게 상당한 창의적 궁리를 요구했다.
- The children showed remarkable ingenuity in constructing a den from old pallets and tarpaulins. 孩子们展现了非凡的独创力,用旧托盘和防水布搭建了一个秘密基地。Los niños mostraron un ingenio notable al construir un refugio con palés viejos y lonas.子どもたちは古いパレットと防水シートで隠れ家を作り、見事な独創力を発揮した。아이들은 낡은 팔레트와 방수포로 비밀 아지트를 만들며 놀라운 독창력을 보여주었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: media, academic, general
Tone: positive
Origin & History
From Latin ingenuitas (frankness, nobility of character), from ingenuus (inborn, freeborn, frank). The shift from 'noble character' to 'inventive cleverness' occurred in English during the seventeenth century, influenced by confusion with 'ingenious.'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free