Word family noun invention inventiveness inventor adjective inventive verb invent reinvent adverb inventively
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishinventin‧vent /ɪnˈvent/ ●●● S3 W3 verb [transitive] 1 INVENTto make, design, or think of a new type of thing Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. ► Do not confuse with discover (=to be the first person to find something or to know that it exists): Scientists have discovered a new type of bacteria.2 INVENTto think of an idea, story etc that is not true, usually in order to deceive people They invented a very convincing alibi.THESAURUSinvent to think of an idea for a new product, machine etc, and design it or make itThe telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.Who invented the Internet?create to make or design something new and originalWe decided to create the software ourselves.For her latest book, she has created a whole new group of characters.think of something/think up something to produce a new idea, plan, method, excuse etc by thinkingI’ve thought of an idea.They’re always trying to think up new ways to improve efficiency.come up with something to produce a new idea, a way of dealing with something etc, especially a good oneHow did you come up with that idea?Ellis came up with the solution to the problem immediately.make something up to invent a story, song, game, excuse etcMy mother used to make up bedtime stories for us.I didn’t want to go to the class, so I decided to make up an excuse. dream something up to think of an idea or plan, especially one that seems unusual or even crazyIt can’t be easy dreaming up new advertisements all the time.I wonder who dreamt up that idea!devise formal to invent a way of doing something, especially one that is clever or complicatedThis system was devised as a way of measuring students’ progress.conceive formal to think of a new idea, plan etc and develop it in your mindThe project was originally conceived by a Dutch businessman two years ago. → See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
invent• It was proven that one witness's story had been invented.• The geodesic dome was invented by R. Buckminster Fuller in 1947.• He began inventing excuses for why he had done nothing to help.• He invented fictional ancestors and a family history to impress the girls.• Television was invented in the 1920s.• I invented reasons for never seeing him again.• I began to invent reasons for staying away from work.• Kai invented some excuse about having a headache.• Theremin invented the weird electronic instrument that provided soundtracks to 1950s science-fiction movies.From Longman Business Dictionaryinventin‧vent /ɪnˈvent/ verb [transitive]1to make, design or produce something new or a new way of doing somethingPercy Spencer invented the microwave oven.Mr. Monaghan virtually invented the modern pizza delivery business when he founded Domino’s.2to tell people something that is not true in order to deceive themHe told investors the firm had monthly returns of between 10% and 25% but those returns were invented.Perhaps the most popular fraud is to inflate or invent business expenses. → see also not-invented-here syndrome→ See Verb tableOrigin invent (1400-1500) Latin past participle of invenire “to come upon, find”, from venire “to come” 