concoct

[ kon-kokt, kuhn- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to prepare or make by combining ingredients, especially in cooking:

   We concocted a meal from leftovers since no one had time to stop at the store.

2. to devise; make up; contrive:

   He'll have to concoct an excuse for his absence if he wants to keep the job.

   Synonyms: hatch, fabricate, invent

concoct

/ kənˈkɒkt /

verb

1. to make by combining different ingredients
2. to invent; make up; contrive

Derived Forms

• conˈcoctive, adjective
• conˈcocter, noun

Other Words From

• con·cocter con·coctor noun
• con·coctive adjective
• well-con·cocted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of concoct¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin concoctus (past participle of concoquere “to cook together”), equivalent to con- con- + coc-, variant stem of coquere “to boil, cook ¹ ” from Greek péptein; pepsin, peptic ) + -tus past participle ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of concoct¹

C16: from Latin concoctus cooked together, from concoquere, from coquere to cook

Example Sentences

Now why would the world’s richest man concoct such a strangely designed game of chance and dangle instant-millionaire status before registered voters?

From Los Angeles Times

"India now reserves the right to take further steps in response to these latest efforts of the Canadian Government to concoct allegations against Indian diplomats," it said.

From BBC

This is a game of “echoes,” meaning Zelda, via a magical rod, has the ability to concoct visions of nearly everything with which she comes in contact.

From Los Angeles Times

They can concoct a brew of openers, bulk relievers and bullpen games.

From Los Angeles Times

For about three months, they took refuge there, while US officials sought to concoct a plan to smuggle them out of the country.

From BBC

Related Words

• contrive
• create
• devise
• discover
• dream up
• envision
• fabricate
• hatch
• invent