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Ingenious

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means clever and inventive

Where does the word "ingenious" come from? It comes from Latin ingeniosus, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
ingeniosus
Latin · ancient
"talented"
from 'ingenium', natural talent, the root of 'engine'
2
Stage 2 of 2
ingenious
English · 1400s
"talented"
long confused with 'ingenuous', frank
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Read the full story

Ingenious’s story begins in Latin: ingeniosus meant “talented.” From 'ingenium', natural talent, the root of 'engine'. It reached English by 1400s as ingenious. Long confused with 'ingenuous', frank. Today, ingenious means clever and inventive.