invent

[ in-vent ]

verb (used with object)

1. to originate or create as a product of one's own ingenuity, experimentation, or contrivance:

   to invent the telegraph.

   Synonyms: contrive, devise

2. to produce or create with the imagination:

   to invent a story.

   Synonyms: conceive, imagine

3. to make up or fabricate (something fictitious or false):

   to invent excuses.

   Synonyms: concoct

4. Archaic. to come upon; find.

invent

/ ɪnˈvɛnt /

verb

1. to create or devise (new ideas, machines, etc)
2. to make up (falsehoods); fabricate

Derived Forms

• inˈventible, adjective

Other Word Forms

• in·venti·ble in·venta·ble adjective
• outin·vent verb (used with object)
• prein·vent verb (used with object)
• self-in·vented adjective
• unin·vented adjective
• well-in·vented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of invent¹

First recorded in 1425–75; back formation from late Middle English invented (past participle) “found, discovered,” from Latin invent(us) “encountered” (past participle of invenīre “to come upon, encounter, find,” from in- in- ² + venīre “to come”; come ) + -ed ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of invent¹

C15: from Latin invenīre to find, come upon, from in- ² + venīre to come

Synonym Study

See discover.

Example Sentences

Green, an L.A-based playwright on the rise, may seem to be inventing her own rules for theatrical storytelling, but she is simultaneously working in a rich theatrical tradition.

From Los Angeles Times

These tiny wafers of silicon, known as chips, were invented in the United States, but today, it is in Asia that the most advanced chips are being produced at phenomenal scale.

From BBC

He has invented a self-sharpening drill — the Bit Magician! — and he’s eager to sell it to an aerospace company down the road.

From Los Angeles Times

Pressed further by Kuenssberg, the ambassador added: "I'm denying existence of threats for the United Kingdom. This threat has been invented, absolutely, there is no threat at all from Russia to the UK."

From BBC

The band invented the name Rawayana, which it imagined as a remote island far from the real world and its problems.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bear
• come up with
• conceive
• design
• devise
• discover
• dream up
• envision
• fashion
• find
• forge
• formulate
• initiate
• originate
• produce