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Acumen vs Ingenuity - What's the difference?

acumen | ingenuity |

As nouns the difference between acumen and ingenuity

is that acumen is quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination while ingenuity is the ability to solve difficult problems, often in original, clever, and inventive ways.

acumen

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke.
  • *
    • No, no, my dear Watson! With all respect for your natural acumen , I do not think that you are quite a match for the worthy doctor.
  • * 1991 ,
    • Hannibal Lecter: Why do you think he removes their skins, Agent Starling? Enthrall me with your acumen .

    Synonyms

    * sharpness, penetration, keenness, shrewdness, acuteness, acuity, wit, foxiness, intelligence, canniness

    ingenuity

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • The ability to solve difficult problems, often in original, clever, and inventive ways.
    • The pyramids demonstrate the ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians.
    Poverty is the mother of ingenuity .
    Ingenuity is one of the characteristics of a beaver.
  • Ingenuousness; honesty, straightforwardness.
  • *, II.17:
    • And therefore I apply my selfe to ingenuitie , and ever to speake truth and what I think.

    Related terms

    * ingenious * ingenuous

    See also

    * industriousness