ingenious
/ɪnˈdʒiːniəs/
Group 33Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Clever, original, and inventive GRE
Example in Context
The engineer devised an ingenious solution to the cooling problem that used a fraction of the energy required by conventional approaches.
Synonyms
brilliantcleverinventive
Etymology
From Latin meaning innate quality, implying cleverness and inventiveness.
- ingenium (Latin) — innate quality
Memory Aid
🛠️Sounds like “engine genius”
When an ENGINE breaks, only an ENGINE GENIUS can fix it with an INGENIOUS invention!
Visual Association
💡A bright lightbulb above a person's head as they create a fantastic new gadget.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Confusable Pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “ingenious” mean on the GRE?
ingenious (adjective) means “Clever, original, and inventive”. The engineer devised an ingenious solution to the cooling problem that used a fraction of the energy required by conventional approaches.
How to remember “ingenious” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “ingenious” sounds like “engine genius”. When an ENGINE breaks, only an ENGINE GENIUS can fix it with an INGENIOUS invention!
What are synonyms for “ingenious”?
Common synonyms: brilliant, clever, inventive.