1 : having or showing an unusual aptitude for discovering, inventing, or contriving an ingenious detective. 2 : marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution an ingenious contraption.

Is ingenious a positive word?

Take, for example, the two words ingenious and ingenuous. Ingenious means clever, original or inventive. ... It's the same word from which ingenue/ingenu derives, meaning a naïve young woman/man. Originally, ingenuous tended to have a more positive sense than it does now : it meant candid, frank or honourable.

What is an ingenious idea?

The definition of ingenious is clever and inventive, or someone who is smart, clever or original. A brand new idea for a much-needed product is an example of an ingenious idea.