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Wordabulary

ingenious

Pronunciation
Adjective C1 Advanced

Quick answer

Very clever, original, and inventive, especially in solving a problem.

"She came up with an ingenious way to fold the map so it never tore."

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

clever inventive

Antonyms

unimaginative

Usage notes

"Ingenious" describes an idea or its creator; don't confuse it with "ingenuous," which means innocent or naive.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "She came up with an _____ way to fold the map so it never tore."

Answer: ingenious

In your own words, what does "ingenious" mean?

Very clever, original, and inventive, especially in solving a problem.

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