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Synonyms

inventor

American  
[in-ven-ter] / ɪnˈvɛn tər /
Or inventer

noun

  1. a person who invents, especially one who devises some new process, appliance, machine, or article; one who makes inventions.

inventor British  
/ ɪnˈvɛntə /

noun

  1. a person who invents, esp as a profession

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • inventress noun

Etymology

Origin of inventor

From Latin, dating back to 1500–10; invent, -tor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The romantic myth of the lone inventor doesn’t really hold up.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The other was being recruited by Arnold Beckman, a Caltech alum, a renowned inventor of scientific instruments, and scientific advisor to L.A.’s rudimentary air pollution control operation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Look Mum No Computer is a solo artist, songwriter and YouTuber, who is also described as "an inventor of unique musical machines".

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

This was basically the argument made by Jamie Siminoff, the founder and head inventor of Ring, as he went on an apology tour of sorts to try and mitigate the post-Super Bowl damage.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

It was WONKA’S FACTORY, owned by a man called Mr. Willy Wonka, the greatest inventor and maker of chocolates that there has ever been.

From "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.