Definitions

inventive

[in-ven-tiv] / ɪnˈvɛn tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

creative

Synonyms

STRONGEST

gifted imaginative ingenious innovative original resourceful

WEAK

adroit artistic avant-garde breaking new ground causative constructive demiurgic deviceful fertile forgetive formative fruitful innovational innovatory inspired originative poetical productive teeming

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dull inept old uncreative unimaginative unresourceful

WEAK

stolen uninventive unoriginal

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.

So the show, it’s just so inventive and fun in a lot of really terrific ways.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

Salam's vivid and inventive style makes it a highly enjoyable ride.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Indeed, his playing is as supple and inventive as ever.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Bernard Suits, a philosopher who focused on sports, disagreed, and he drew on Aesop’s fable of the ant and the grasshopper in his inventive rebuttal.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Chef Morgan looks straight at me and announces, “Also, we’d like to award honorable mention to Sara Hameed and Elizabeth Shainmark, for the most inventive recipe. Your fusion ice cream has potential.”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Vocabulary lists containing inventive

The Ingenious Lexicon of Invention

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!

Positive Adjectives to Describe People

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!

The Lions of Little Rock

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!