invent

[ in-vent ]
/ ɪnˈvɛnt /

verb (used with object)

to originate or create as a product of one's own ingenuity, experimentation, or contrivance: to invent the telegraph.
to produce or create with the imagination: to invent a story.
to make up or fabricate (something fictitious or false): to invent excuses.
Archaic. to come upon; find.

Origin of invent

1425–75; late Middle English invented (past participle) found, discovered (see -ed2) < Latin inventus, past participle of invenīre to encounter, come upon, find, equivalent to in- in-2 + ven(īre) to come + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR invent

2 imagine, conceive.
3 concoct.

OTHER WORDS FROM invent

Example sentences from the Web for invent

British Dictionary definitions for invent

invent
/ (ɪnˈvɛnt) /

verb

to create or devise (new ideas, machines, etc)
to make up (falsehoods); fabricate

Derived forms of invent

inventible or inventable, adjective

Word Origin for invent

C15: from Latin invenīre to find, come upon, from in- ² + venīre to come