adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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CMU ARPABET:R IY0 S AO1 R S F AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use; using materials at hand wisely or efficiently.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
With a resourceful use of space and a fresh coat of paint, the room became a pleasant library with a comfortable seating area.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adjective satellite
Meaning 2
having inner resources; adroit or imaginative
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
someone who is resourceful is capable of dealing with difficult situations
an able and resourceful politician
the most resourceful cook in town
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From resource + -ful.
Across languages
Translations
37 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Afrikaans:
vindingryk
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Bulgarian:
находчив
(nahodčiv)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Bulgarian:
съобразителен
(sǎobrazitelen)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Chinese Mandarin:
机灵的
(jīling de)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Chinese Mandarin:
有辦法 /有办法
(yǒubànfǎ)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Dutch:
vindingrijk
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Finnish:
neuvokas
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Finnish:
kekseliäs
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
French:
débrouillard
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
French:
futé
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
German:
findig
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
German:
einfallsreich
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Greek:
πολυμήχανος
(polymíchanos)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Greek:
επινοητικός
(epinoïtikós)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Hungarian:
találékony
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Hungarian:
leleményes
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Hungarian:
ötletes
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Hungarian:
élelmes
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Indonesian:
banyak akal
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Macedonian:
снаодлив
(snaodliv)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Macedonian:
досетлив
(dosetliv)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Polish:
zaradny
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Polish:
pomysłowy
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Portuguese:
inventivo
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Portuguese:
engenhoso
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Portuguese:
habilidoso
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Portuguese:
capaz
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Russian:
находчивый
(naxodčivyj)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Russian:
изобретательный
(izobretatelʹnyj)
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Scottish Gaelic:
seòlta
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Scottish Gaelic:
dèanadach
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Spanish:
apañado
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Spanish:
ingenioso
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Spanish:
con recursos
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Spanish:
que tiene recursos
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Swedish:
fyndig
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
Swedish:
finurlig
— capable or clever; able to put available resources to efficient or ingenious use
