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 of inventive

• 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

The enticing menu offers the best of American cuisine but with an inventive, upscale edge. —Courtney Cherry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026

This Black History Month, Milwaukee institutions, organizations, and artists are finding immersive and inventive ways to connect audiences with the richness of Black history and culture. —Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Don’t let Paffuto’s casual counter service mislead you; their inventive spins on Italian classics will astound and delight. —Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026

And though the museum is a kind of inventive response itself—not not punk, to borrow Jarral’s example—Collins’ project isn’t about turning pain into anything else. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 Feb. 2026

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