inventive

[in-ven-tiv]

adjective

1. apt at inventing or thinking up new machines or devices, methods, solutions, etc., or at improvising from what is at hand; innovative or ingenious.

   Luckily the bike mechanic is a most inventive person—you’ll be surprised at what he can do with a piece of wire and some scrap metal.

2. apt at creating with the imagination.

   The delightful and tirelessly inventive storyteller is back with an animated stop-motion adventure.

3. being the product of imagination, resourcefulness, etc.; creative and original.

   It’s an enthralling, inventive, and wholly unique exhibit from an artist without peer.

4. relating to or used for inventing.

   These recordings captured the musician at the height of her inventive power.

inventive

/ ɪnˈvɛntɪv /

adjective

1. skilled or quick at contriving; ingenious; resourceful

2. characterized by inventive skill

   an inventive programme of work

3. of or relating to invention

Other Word Forms

• inventively adverb
• inventiveness noun
• preinventive adjective
• uninventive adjective
• uninventively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inventive¹

First recorded in 1400–50; invent + -ive; replacing late Middle English inventif, from Old French

Example Sentences

But others have played that down, noting that Swift said last year that she was "blown away" by Charli XCX's work, and described the British star's music as "surreal and inventive".

From BBC

Now Shedeur Sanders has come up with an equally inventive way of responding without responding to reporters’ questions: silence.

From Los Angeles Times

Unable to foster an in-person connection, they instead relied on music shows void of an audience and an inventive introductory movie.

From Los Angeles Times

Brunch was incredible, with classic Peruvian dishes alongside inventive twists on brunch favorites.

From Salon

The record’s extras are just as intriguing and inventive; take “Fantasy,” which Michael reworked with Nile Rodgers before his death into a taut, disco-inspired dance number.

From Salon

Related Words

• gifted 
• imaginative 
• ingenious 
• innovative 
• original 
• resourceful