English Lexicon

Invent

/ɪnˈvɛnt/
verbCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #2500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To create or design something that has not existed before, such as a device, process, or machine.

    "Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876."
  2. 2

    To produce or concoct something untrue, such as an excuse, a story, or a lie.

    "He had to invent a plausible excuse for being late to the meeting."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the late 15th century Latin word 'inventus', the past participle of 'invenire', meaning 'to find out' or 'come upon' (from 'in-' into + 'venire' to come). Over time, the meaning shifted from merely discovering or coming upon something to the modern sense of creating or designing something new that has not existed before.

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