inventive

adjective

in·​ven·​tive in-ˈven-tiv 

1

: adept or prolific at producing inventions : creative

an inventive mind

2

: characterized by invention

an inventive method

inventively adverb

inventiveness noun

Synonyms

• artful
• clever
• creative
• imaginative
• ingenious
• innovative

Examples of inventive in a Sentence

They have given their new company an inventive name.

inventive ways to use leftovers

Recent Examples on the Web

Brazilian footwear brand Melissa and Parisian label Maldito are dipping their toes into the western footwear category with a new collaboration offering an inventive take on the cowboy boot. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 May 2025

By day, guests can visit for its inventive afternoon tea. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

For fusion fare, dine at Best Friend, spotlighting Roy Choi’s inventive dishes like kimchi carbonara, Kogi short rib tacos, and out-of-this-world Medjool date cake. —Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2025

According to both actors, the entire process of putting together this scene was as inventive and open as the bit with the scarf. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inventive

• agentive
• attentive
• incentive
• preventive
• retentive
• disincentive
• inattentive

Kids Definition

inventive

adjective

in·​ven·​tive in-ˈvent-iv 

: gifted with the skill and imagination to invent

inventively adverb

inventiveness noun