resourceful
ri-SORS-ful
/rɪˈzɔːrsfʊl/
Having the ability to find quick, clever, and practical ways to overcome difficulties or solve problems.
Highlights practical ingenuity and creative problem-solving using whatever tools, materials, or facts are readily available.
The story behind the word. From French 'ressource' (a source, means of recovery), originating from Old French 'resourdre' (to rise again), from Latin 'resurgere'. A resourceful person is literally someone who 'rises again' above difficulties by summoning internal or external assets.
Word relationships
- ingenious: Ingenious emphasizes inventive brilliance, whereas resourceful emphasizes practical problem-solving under constraint.
- versatile: Versatile means capable of doing many tasks, while resourceful means knowing how to overcome unexpected hurdles.
- inept: Inept means lacking skill or aptitude to handle situations effectively.
- unimaginative: Unimaginative means unable to think of novel or practical solutions when faced with obstacles.
Commonly confused with
- resortful: 'Resortful' is an archaic or non-standard word; do not confuse with 'resourceful'.
Word family
- resource (noun): A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, or assets.
- resourcefulness (noun): The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.
Collocations
- resourceful leader
- resourceful problem-solver
- remarkably resourceful
- resourceful approach
Idioms & expressions
- think on your feet
- make bricks without straw
Example sentences
- "He proved to be a resourceful companion, making tools out of driftwood and salvage." Classic survival adventure literature
- "The boot-strapped entrepreneur was remarkably resourceful, turning minimal funding into a global digital platform." Startup business leadership
Memory hook
RESOURCE-ful: FULL of hidden RE-SOURCES when trouble arrives. Rise again by finding clever solutions.
When not to use
Do not use to describe passive obedience; resourcefulness requires active, creative initiative.
Fun facts
- The root 'surgere' (to rise) also gave us 'surge', 'resurgence', and 'insurgent'.
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