innovate

[ in-uh-veyt ]

verb (used without object)

, in·no·vat·ed, in·no·vat·ing.

1. to introduce something new; make changes in anything established.

verb (used with object)

, in·no·vat·ed, in·no·vat·ing.

1. to introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time:

   to innovate a computer operating system.

2. Archaic. to alter.

innovate

/ ˈɪnəˌveɪt /

verb

1. to invent or begin to apply (methods, ideas, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈinnoˌvator, noun
• innovative, adjective

Other Words From

• in·no·va·tor noun
• un·in·no·vat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of innovate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin innovātus, past participle of innovāre “to renew, alter,” equivalent to in- intensive prefix + novātus, past participle of novā(re) “to renew,” verbal derivative of novus “new” + -tus past participle suffix); in- ², new

Word History and Origins

Origin of innovate¹

C16: from Latin innovāre to renew, from in- ² + novāre to make new, from novus new

Example Sentences

So Wilson had to innovate a new business plan—a $950 monthly lease, with 2,000 free copies.

From The Daily Beast

The key to his success is working in a practice that gives him time to innovate.

From The Daily Beast

It does so because competition for the kind of high-skill workers it needs to innovate is high.

From The Daily Beast

But, again, companies accustomed to having monopolies rarely innovate.

From The Daily Beast

Who gets to innovate in a world where you need to pay AT&T to compete?

From The Daily Beast

The Greeks found means to improve, or at least to innovate, upon perfection itself.

From Project Gutenberg

In attempting to innovate, some danger of lowering the nobility of the type would be incurred.

From Project Gutenberg

In him assuredly there was no attempt at inventiveness; he has always repudiated the idea that the poet should seek to innovate.

From Project Gutenberg

But every man cannot distinguish betwixt pedantry and poetry; every man, therefore, is not fit to innovate.

From Project Gutenberg

At first they were afraid to innovate even to the slight extent of adaptation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• create
• devise
• establish
• experiment
• initiate
• introduce
• invent
• launch
• originate
• pioneer
• refine