English Explanatory Dictionary

invent

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To design a new process or mechanism.
To create something fictional for a particular purpose.
To come upon; to find; to discover.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈvɛnt/ en-us-invent.ogg

Word forms

invent invents inventing invented no-table-tags glossary inventest inventedst inventeth

Etymology

From Middle English inventen, borrowed from Old French inventer, from Latin inventus, perfect passive participle of inveniō (“come upon, meet with, find, discover”), from in (“in, on”) + veniō (“come”); see venture. Compare advent, covent, event, prevent, etc. Displaced native Old English āþenċan (literally “to think out”).

Synonyms

Related words

invented invention inventive inventor inventory reinvent discover

Derived words

coinvent disinvent innovent inventable inventful inventible not invented here outinvent uninvent why God invented

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