French word

ingénieux

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃ʒenjø/

Meaning

  • adjectiveclever

Example

Son plan était très ingénieux.

His plan was very clever.

Illustration for ingénieux (clever)

More examples

Elle a trouvé une solution ingénieuse au problème.

She found an ingenious solution to the problem.

Core concept

A small toolkit rearranged into an effective answer to a difficult problem.

Common phrases

  • une idée ingénieuse

    an ingenious idea

  • une solution ingénieuse

    an ingenious solution

Similar words

astucieux: Smart and resourceful in developing solutions from limited materials or conditions.
débrouillard: Able to fend for oneself and deal with situations resourcefully.
habile: Skillful and deft in carrying out practical tasks.
créatif: Full of imagination and original ideas or expressions.

Definition in French

Qui montre de l'habileté à imaginer ou organiser des solutions nouvelles et efficaces à un problème.

Word origin

Ingénieux derives from Latin ingeniosus, based on ingenium for natural ability or character, and entered French through Old French.

Usage tips

  • Ingénieux praises inventive skill in a solution, while ingénu and English ingenuous relate to innocence or openness, not clever design.

Other meanings

  • inventiveadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word