invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

invented; inventing; invents

transitive verb

1

: to produce (something, such as a useful device or process) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment

2

: to devise by thinking : fabricate

3

archaic : find, discover

inventor

in-ˈven-tər 

noun

inventress

in-ˈven-trəs 

noun

Synonyms

• concoct
• construct
• contrive
• cook (up)
• devise
• drum up
• excogitate
• fabricate
• make up
• manufacture
• think (up)
• trump up
• vamp (up)

Examples of invent in a Sentence

Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.

She is credited with inventing a procedure that has helped to save thousands of lives.

She invented a clever excuse.

We found out that he had invented the stories he told us about his military service.

Recent Examples on the Web

Shortly after the Jasper road trip, Poppy and I headed off to Puerto Rico to sip pina coladas at the hotel that invented them, the Caribe Hilton – the iconic, glam resort is fresh off a $150 million renovation, by the way, and has a fab beachfront location just 10 minutes from Old San Juan. —Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2024

Related: Can the world still invent an HIV vaccine? —Annalisa Merelli and Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 17 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin inventus, past participle of invenire to come upon, find, from in- + venire to come — more at come

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing invent

• co-invent

Kids Definition

invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

1

: to think up : make up

invent an excuse

2

: to create or produce for the first time

invented a new game

inventor

-ˈvent-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

invent

transitive verb

in·​vent

: to create or produce for the first time

inventor noun