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

• artful
• clever
• creative
• imaginative
• ingenious
• innovative

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

New Jersey’s dining scene is having a moment, with a wave of restaurants offering inventive menus, exceptional hospitality, and atmospheres that strike the perfect balance between upscale and inviting. —Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Ditto a few other inventive creepy-crawlies that the film unleashes on its running-and-gunning heroes (two words: skull spiders). —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025

But the inventive operatic musical with a powerhouse Zoe Saldaña performance still struck a chord with audiences with its inclusive qualities. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 12 Feb. 2025

Bucking convention at every turn, Welles skipped around chronology freely, using inventive dissolves and edits to move the viewer back and forth in time. —John Semley, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inventive

adjective

in·​ven·​tive in-ˈvent-iv 

: gifted with the skill and imagination to invent

inventively adverb

inventiveness noun