innovative
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- innovatively adverb
- innovativeness noun
- uninnovative adjective
Etymology
Origin of innovative
Explanation
Something innovative is new and original. If you love to experiment and find new ways to do things, you are an innovative person. Innovative, like nova, novel, and novice, comes from the Latin novus, which means new. Something innovative renews or alters the way something has been done. You can use innovative to describe the thing or the person that made it. If your English teacher objects to your experimental writing style, tell him, "I'm an innovative writer making innovative sentences!" Antonyms are unoriginal and hackneyed.
Vocabulary lists containing innovative
Brand Spankin' New: Words with Neo- and Nov-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "I"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Mardi Gras: Fun
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
"These current results highlight that sideways locomotion in true crabs is a rare but innovative trait that may have contributed to their ecological success," Kawabata concludes.
From Science Daily • May 2, 2026
“I understand the sentiments and concerns,” she said, “however, I strongly believe in better public schools, which always includes charters and innovative practices.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
Call it dystopic or innovative, Prego wants you to cherish — and forever remember — every single mealtime conversation with its limited-edition recording device.
From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026
“It was a place where you could go and look at innovative things, you could try them out — and honestly, the stores don’t feel that way anymore,” Saunders said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026
Marjorie Connelly and Rich Meislin designed an innovative poll of American attitudes about class.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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.
