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"Ingenious" vs. "innovative": comparing clever creativity

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 06/10/2024, 07:32
English.me team member
Ingenious and innovative. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both words describe qualities related to creativity and originality. They are often used to praise ideas, solutions, or approaches that are novel and effective.

What is different?

Ingenious typically emphasizes cleverness and inventiveness, often highlighting someone's ability to solve problems in smart ways. Innovative tends to focus on the introduction of new methods, ideas, or products, often in the context of technology or business.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for ingenious) and innovative

Examples of usage

Ingenious
  • The engineer came up with an ingenious solution to the design problem.
  • Her ingenious idea saved the company thousands of dollars.
  • This gadget is an ingenious piece of engineering.
Innovative
  • The company is known for its innovative approach to technology.
  • He received an award for his innovative design.
  • Innovative strategies are essential in today's competitive market.

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