innovate

[in-uh-veyt]

verb (used without object)

innovated, innovating 

1. to introduce something new; make changes in anything established.

verb (used with object)

innovated, innovating 

1. to introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time.

   to innovate a computer operating system.

2. Archaic.,  to alter.

innovate

/ ˈɪnəˌveɪt /

verb

1. to invent or begin to apply (methods, ideas, etc)

Other Word Forms

• innovator noun
• uninnovating adjective
• innovative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of innovate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin innovātus, past participle of innovāre “to renew, alter,” equivalent to in- intensive prefix + novātus, past participle of novā(re) “to renew,” verbal derivative of novus “new” + -tus past participle suffix); in- ², new

Word History and Origins

Origin of innovate¹

C16: from Latin innovāre to renew, from _in- ² + novāre to make new, from novus new

Example Sentences

“These changes are intended to put Nokia on a stronger path to innovate, serve its customers and create shareholder value,” it added.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“We have to innovate before regulating, and we have to protect not to be overwhelmed by non-European competitors,” said Macron.

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Finance remains one of the few environments where real-world data arrives continuously, consequences are immediate, and the incentive to compete and innovate is unending.

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“We can’t wait to take Skims to the next level as we continue to innovate and set the standard for our industry.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The complaints from CEOs, however, tend to focus on more fundamental issues: Our people aren’t learning, we aren’t innovating, we are slower to get things done and so forth.

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Related Words

• create 
• devise 
• establish 
• experiment 
• initiate 
• introduce 
• invent 
• launch 
• originate 
• pioneer 
• refine