resourceful

[ri-sawrs-fuhl, -sohrs-, -zawrs-, -zohrs-]

adjective

1. able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations, difficulties, etc.

   Synonyms: adroit, imaginative, able, talented

resourceful

/ rɪˈzɔːsfʊl, -ˈsɔːs- /

adjective

1. ingenious, capable, and full of initiative, esp in dealing with difficult situations

Other Word Forms

• resourcefully adverb
• resourcefulness noun
• self-resourceful adjective
• self-resourcefully adverb
• self-resourcefulness noun
• unresourceful adjective
• unresourcefully adverb
• unresourcefulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of resourceful¹

First recorded in 1850–55; resource + -ful

Example Sentences

His economic team is “very creative and resourceful.”

Read more on Barron's

Yet Michelle, terrifying as she is, proves to be admirably sharp and resourceful.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms. Russell makes Kate, with whom everyone is in love, adorably impatient and endlessly resourceful.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A lineup that underperformed for much of the summer has been relentless, resourceful and unstoppable in the fall.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Is thieving really the best a resourceful ex-soldier can do, though?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• active 
• adventurous 
• aggressive 
• bright 
• capable 
• creative 
• enterprising 
• ingenious 
• intelligent 
• inventive 
• talented