innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈi-nə-ˌvāt 

innovated; innovating

intransitive verb

: to make changes : do something in a new way

transitive verb

1

: to introduce as or as if new

2

archaic : to effect a change in

The dictates of my father were … not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed …

—Sir Walter Scott

innovator

ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

innovatory

ˈi-nə-və-ˌtȯr-ē 

ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tə-rē

adjective

Synonyms of innovate

• establish
• pioneer
• initiate
• create
• introduce
• launch
• found
• institute

Examples of innovate in a Sentence

The company plans to continue innovating and experimenting.

The company innovated a new operating system.

Recent Examples on the Web

While Pandora has long been known for its charm bracelets, beloved of millennials and Gen Zs of the past, the brand’s collaboration strategy aims to innovate. — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026

The companies that genuinely put children first, continually innovate to solve current issues and trust their products with their own families will be the ones that build a lasting legacy. — Titania Jordan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

As social media evolved, Kiffin innovated, without regret, as the sport’s biggest poster and provocateur. — Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

For sports video game studio Visual Concepts in 2004, the possibilities to innovate felt endless as the development team worked day and night on what would become an all-time fan favorite football title. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin innovatus, past participle of innovare, from in- + novus new — more at new

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for innovate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈin-ə-ˌvāt 

innovated; innovating

: to introduce something new

innovate a new website

: do something in a new way

innovative

-ˌvāt-iv

adjective

innovator

-ˌvāt-ər 

noun