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

Part of the magic is that the secrecy of the real-life Soviet program gives Nedivi, Wolpert, and their writers ample leeway to be inventive and distance themselves from the lore of their own alternate-universe timeline. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 July 2026

AlloClae — one of the more inventive products in this category— is our latest reminder. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 13 July 2026

The less inventive through lines & missteps had everything to do with gravity. — Terrance Hayes, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Frontera Grill remains a must-visit for authentic and inventive Mexican dishes made with local ingredients, like the meat-heavy taco menu. — Rima Suqi, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 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