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

Mulier ultimately heated up the house to the boiling point with original, inventive designs, giving an experimental, modernist spin to Alaïa’s legacy of empowering, feminine and sculptural fashions. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026

Lunch and dinner are thoroughly enjoyable affairs, with catch of the day and fresh salads on offer, as well as more inventive options like a truly fantastic lobster schnitzel. —Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026

The 139-room, ski-in/ski-out hotel, home to Cortina, an excellent Northern Italian restaurant, continually introduces inventive thrills to its repertoire. —Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026

In her comments, the mom of two got a lot of compliments for how inventive her busyboard was. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 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