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 Words From

• 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

Let’s stop right here in our celebration of Veterans Day and discuss this wholly invented and utterly bogus issue of the “woke” military.

From Salon

Despite its enormous profile, no-one actually knows for sure who invented Bitcoin.

From BBC

If Los Angeles has a reputation for opera, it is as an outlier, a city freed from encrusted tradition and eager to invent.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the man who invented our music.

From Los Angeles Times

He needs to invent reasons to still hang about without wanting to admit that he cares, even though he does.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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