What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
handy
Example
My dad is really handy with tools and can fix anything around the house. [handy: adjective]
Example
I always keep a flashlight handy in case of a power outage. [handy: adverb]
ingenious
Example
The engineer came up with an ingenious solution to the design problem. [ingenious: adjective]
Example
The magician's trick was so ingenious that no one could figure out how he did it. [ingenious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Handy is more commonly used than ingenious in everyday language. Handy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ingenious is less common and tends to be used in more formal or intellectual settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between handy and ingenious?
Ingenious is more formal and intellectual than handy. While handy is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, ingenious is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly used in formal settings.
