Dictionary › I › invent

invent

2 syllables
Quick answer

As a verb, invent means design a new process or mechanism.

Meanings of invent

5 meanings

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. Come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

    “excogitate a way to measure the speed of light”

    Similar: contrive, devise, excogitate, formulate, forge
  4. Concoct something artificial or untrue

    “vamp up an excuse for not attending the meeting”

    Similar: fabricate, manufacture, cook up, make up, vamp, vamp up
Older and rare meanings (1)
  1. obsoleteTo come upon; to find; to discover.

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

All synonyms for invent →
verb: come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or prin…
verb: concoct something artificial or untrue

Words that rhyme with invent

All rhymes →

For word games

i1
n1
v4
e1
n1
t1
Scrabble & Words With Friends: valid word9 points before bonuses.6 letters.
Unscramble these letters

Nearby words