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 judges were unanimous in validating that belief after Efron smashed Karagach's inventive freestyle choreography. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025

Many Southern candy stores have been preserving our youth for over a century, and even the modern stores, with their inventive twists on confections, have been welcomed with open arms. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025

The property, a four-star hotel that had been recently renovated, stood out for its remarkably elegant and inventive design. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025

Finally, there's City Trial, the game's best and most inventive mode. —NPR, 19 Nov. 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