resourcefulness
Meaning: The ability to find quick, clever ways to overcome difficulties; practical ingenuity in the face of adversity.
Resourcefulness emphasises practical, can-do problem solving rather than theoretical brilliance. A resourceful person makes the best of what is available, improvises effectively, and refuses to be defeated by obstacles. It is a quality particularly valued in leadership, survival situations, entrepreneurship, and everyday life. It collocates with 'remarkable,' 'admirable,' and 'sheer,' and is almost exclusively positive in tone.
Examples
- The crew's resourcefulness in repairing the engine with makeshift parts saved the entire expedition. 船员们用临时零件修复发动机的足智多谋拯救了整个探险队。El ingenio de la tripulación al reparar el motor con piezas improvisadas salvó toda la expedición.乗組員が間に合わせの部品でエンジンを修理するという機転のおかげで、探検隊全体が救われた。승무원들이 즉석 부품으로 엔진을 수리하는 기지 덕분에 탐험대 전체가 구해졌다.
- Growing up with very little money had taught her a resourcefulness that served her well in business. 从小在拮据的环境中长大,培养了她在商场上受益匪浅的应变能力。Crecer con muy poco dinero le había enseñado un ingenio que le resultó muy útil en los negocios.お金のない環境で育ったことで培われた機知が、ビジネスの世界で大いに役立った。돈이 거의 없는 환경에서 자라며 길러진 임기응변 능력이 사업에서 큰 도움이 되었다.
- His resourcefulness as a manager meant the project stayed on track despite repeated budget cuts. 他作为经理的足智多谋使项目在反复削减预算的情况下仍然保持正轨。Su capacidad resolutiva como director hizo que el proyecto siguiera su curso pese a los recortes presupuestarios repetidos.マネージャーとしての彼の機転により、度重なる予算削減にもかかわらずプロジェクトは順調に進んだ。관리자로서의 그의 기지 덕분에 거듭된 예산 삭감에도 불구하고 프로젝트가 순조롭게 진행되었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general, professional, media
Tone: positive
Origin & History
From resource (a stock or supply of materials or assets) + -fulness. Resource itself comes from Old French resourdre (to rise again), from Latin resurgere. The word emphasises the ability to draw on available means to meet challenges.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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