First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
invent
verb in·vent \in-ˈvent\
: to create or produce (something useful) for the first time
: to create or make up (something, such as a story) in order to trick people
Full Definition of INVENT
transitive verb
2
: to devise by thinking : fabricate
3
: to produce (as something useful) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment
— in·ven·tor \-ˈven-tər\ noun
— in·ven·tress \-ˈven-trəs\ noun
See invent defined for English-language learners
See invent defined for kids
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Origin of INVENT
Middle English, from Latin inventus, past participle of invenire to come upon, find, from in- + venire to come — more at come
Related to INVENT
- Synonyms
- concoct, construct, contrive, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up), come up with
Rhymes with INVENT
absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent
INVENTOR Defined for Kids
invent
verb in·vent \in-ˈvent\
in·vent·edin·vent·ing
Definition of INVENT for Kids
1
: to create or produce for the first time <Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.>
2
: to think up : make up <She invented an excuse for being late.>
— in·ven·tor \-ˈvent-ər\ noun
Word Root of INVENT
The Latin word venīre, meaning “to come,” and its form ventus give us the roots ven and vent. Words from the Latin venīre have something to do with coming. To invent is to come up with a new idea or device that no one has thought of before. To convene is to come together for a purpose. An event is an occasion when many people come together.
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