Invent

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪnˈvÉ›nt/
• Rhymes: -É›nt

Origin

From Middle English inventen, from Old French inventer, from Latin inventus, perfect passive participle of inveniō ("come upon, meet with, find, discover"), from in ("in, on") + veniō ("come"); see venture. Compare advent, covent, event, prevent, etc.

Full definition of invent

Verb

1. To design a new process or mechanism.After weeks of hard work, I invented a new way to alphabetize matchbooks.
2. To create something fictional for a particular purpose.I knew I had to invent an excuse, and quickly.We need a name to put in this form, so let's just invent one.
3. (obsolete) To come upon; to find; to find out; to discover.
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, I.vi:Far off he wonders, what them makes so glad,
  If Bacchus merry fruit they did inuent ....

Synonyms

• fangle
• discover

Related terms

• invented
• inventive
• invention
• inventor
• inventory
• reinvent