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

• innovative
• imaginative
• creative
• clever

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

Last year, fans and critics alike cheered on three inventive and ubiquitous pop stars: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Charli XCX. —Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025

The season’s most exciting and inventive collections are set amid dazzling, imagined landscapes. —Drew Vickers, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2025

Blended bourbons, almost lost after Prohibition, are making a bold comeback—modern, inventive and award-winning. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Mastodon’s inventive, progressive tendencies came to the fore on subsequent LPs, starting with 2009’s Crack the Skye—which introduced Dailor to the band’s suite of lead vocalists—and 2011’s The Hunter, which was dedicated to Hinds’ late brother. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 Aug. 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