INGENUOUS (Adj.) AND INGENIOUS (Adj.)

Words ingenious and ingenuous sounds similar but they have opposite meanings. Ingenious means very smart or clever and ingenuous means showing innocence or child-like simplicity.

INGENIOUS (Adj.)

Meaning- very smart or clever

Mnemonic trick- word ingenious sounds similar to genius. Therefore, ingenious is used for a person having clever and innovative skills.

Synonym- CLEVER, NIMBLE, ADROIT

Uses-

•          She was ingenious at finding ways to work more quickly.
•          Michael was ingenious in her ability to modify plagiarized content.

INGENUOUS (Adj.)

Meaning- showing innocence or child-like simplicity or inability to hide feeling

Mnemonic trick- word ingenuous sounds similar to genuine. Genuine people are generally straightforward and innocent. Therefore, ingenuous means showing innocence or child-like simplicity.

Synonym- INNOCENT

Uses-

•          Although, the scientist who was presented in a social situation as being ingenuous, he was infant ingenious in his research.