resourceful

/rɪˈsɔrsfəl/
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Able to solve problems by finding clever ways to use what is available.

Examples

  • The team had little money, but its resourceful approach kept the project alive.
  • When the power failed, Maya was resourceful enough to build a lamp from spare parts.
  • A resourceful traveler can manage even when plans change suddenly.
  • He is not very resourceful when a problem has no obvious answer.
  • How were you so resourceful under that much pressure?

Similar words

enterprising
capable
creative
adaptable
inventive
ingenious

Meanings

Clever at solving problems

adjective
everyday
neutral
Good at dealing with new or difficult situations by quickly finding practical ways to use what is available.

Examples

  • When the power failed, Maya was resourceful enough to build a lamp from spare parts.
  • A resourceful traveler can manage even when plans change suddenly.
  • The team had little money, but its resourceful approach kept the project alive.
  • How were you so resourceful under that much pressure?
  • He is not very resourceful when a problem has no obvious answer.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed in the early nineteenth century from resource and the suffix -ful. It first described someone fertile in practical ways of dealing with difficulty, and later also described having many resources.

FAQ

What does resourceful mean?

Resourceful means good at finding practical and clever ways to solve problems, especially with limited help or materials.

How do you pronounce resourceful?

In General American English, resourceful is pronounced /rɪˈsɔrsfəl/.

Is resourceful a positive word?

Yes. Resourceful is normally approving because it praises practical intelligence, initiative, and independence.

What is the difference between resourceful and creative?

Creative emphasizes producing new ideas, while resourceful emphasizes using ideas and available means to overcome a problem.

What are opposites of resourceful?

Common opposites of resourceful include helpless, incapable, unimaginative, and unresourceful.

Where does resourceful come from?

Resourceful was formed in the early nineteenth century from resource plus -ful.

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