inventin‧vent /ɪnˈvent/ ●●● S3 W3 verb [transitive] 
Word Origin Examples
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.2to 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 it: · The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.· Who invented the Internet?create to make or design something new and original: · We 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 thinking: · I’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 one: · How 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 etc: · My 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 crazy: · It 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 complicated: · This 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 mind: · The project was originally conceived by a Dutch businessman two years ago.
Word OriginWORD ORIGINinvent
Verb TableOrigin:
1400-1500 Latin past participle of invenire ‘to come upon, find’, from venire ‘to come’VERB TABLE
invent
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | invent |
| he, she, it | invents | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | invented |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have invented |
| he, she, it | has invented | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had invented |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will invent |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have invented |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am inventing |
| he, she, it | is inventing | |
| you, we, they | are inventing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was inventing |
| you, we, they | were inventing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been inventing |
| he, she, it | has been inventing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been inventing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be inventing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been inventing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- He invented fictional ancestors and a family history to impress the girls.
- He began inventing excuses for why he had done nothing to help.
- I invented reasons for never seeing him again.
- I began to invent reasons for staying away from work.
- It was proven that one witness's story had been invented.
- Kai invented some excuse about having a headache.
- Television was invented in the 1920s.
- The geodesic dome was invented by R. Buckminster Fuller in 1947.
- Theremin invented the weird electronic instrument that provided soundtracks to 1950s science-fiction movies.
THESAURUS► invent
Collocations to think of an idea for a new product, machine etc, and design it or make it: · The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.· Who invented the Internet?
► create to make or design something new and original: · We 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 thinking: · I’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 one: · How 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 etc: · My 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 crazy: · It 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 complicated: · This 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 mind: · The project was originally conceived by a Dutch businessman two years ago.
Longman Language Activatorto think of a new idea, design, or name for something► invent to think of an idea for a new product, machine etc for the first time, and design it and make it: · Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.· Television was invented in the 1920s.· Theremin invented the weird electronic instrument that provided soundtracks to 1950s science-fiction movies.
► create to make something new in art, literature, fashion etc: · Agatha Christie created the character Hercule Poirot.· Mary Quant created a whole new look for women's clothes in the 1960s.
► come up with/think up informal to produce a new idea, name, method etc by thinking carefully about it: think up/come up with something: · See if you can come up with a better name for it.· We need to think up some new ideas for the Christmas show.think something up: · We don't just think this stuff up. It's the way good lawyers always operate.
► devise to invent a way of doing something, especially one that is clever and complicated: · The exercise programme was devised by a leading health expert.· Scientists have devised a test that shows who is most likely to get the disease.
► make up to invent something such as a story or song, usually without writing it down: make up something: · For Halloween, the children made up stories about wolves and witches.· When my mother was in a good mood, she would make up songs about us.make something up: · That's a good riddle. Did you make it up yourself?
► conceive formal to think of a new idea, plan, or piece of work and develop it in your mind, until it is ready to be used, made etc: · "We wanted to make something new and original,'' said Colin Smith, the man who conceived the show.· The painting is beautifully conceived in every way -- composition, colour and texture.conceive of: · The young Edvard Munch conceived of a radically new approach to his art.
► dream up to think of a plan, idea, method etc, especially one that other people think is strange or unlikely to succeed: dream up something: · Banks seem to spend a lot of time dreaming up ways to get more money from their customers.· The machine looked like it had been dreamed up by a surrealist painter.dream something up: · "It's too complicated for me," Polly whispered; "how do they dream these things up?"
► coin to invent a word or phrase: · The term "black hole" was coined in 1969 by the American scientist John Wheeler.· A Polish refugee coined the term "genocide" to describe attempts to kill an entire group of people.
someone who invents something► inventor someone who has invented something, or whose job is to invent things, especially machines: · Franklin was a scientist, an inventor, and a statesman.· Marconi was the inventor of radio.· The patent lists six inventors who worked on the system.
► creator the writer, artist, or designer who first produced a well-known story, character, fashion etc: creator of: · Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse· Diaghilev is considered by many to be the creator of the first modern dance company.
► originator the person who first invented something, especially an idea: originator of: · Stokely Carmichael was probably the originator of the term "black power."· Alberti was the originator of the violin's design even though Stradivari made it famous.
► the father of something the man who first invented a new way of thinking or a new area of study, or who first tried new methods, practices etc: · Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was born in 1856.· Lowe was the real father of modern computing and a very important figure in IBM's ranks.
something that someone has invented► invention · The Hydro-Ram is an invention which makes it easier for firemen to get people out of crashed cars.· The wedge is an important early mechanical invention.· More than any other single invention, writing has transformed human consciousness.
► creation something such as a completely new fashion, a character in a book etc, that someone has invented using their imagination: · Agatha Christie's greatest fictional creation was the Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot.· Chef Michael Almay's creations will make you want to come back again and again.
► innovation something new that is being used for the first time, or a new way of doing something: · In those days, the automobile was a recent innovation.· Electric lighting was still considered a daring innovation when it was installed in my grandfather's house.innovation in: · Innovations in information technology have completely transformed the way students work.
► brainchild something that a particular person invented, especially something such as an idea, method, or system: brainchild of: · The new computer system is the brainchild of our systems manager.· A new game, the brainchild of Andrew Wilson, was launched in 1999.
to invent a false story, excuse, name etc► make up to think of a story, excuse, explanation etc that is not true, especially in order to deceive people or to protect yourself: make up something: · I gave her the wrong name, and made up a telephone number with a Los Angeles area code.make something/it up: · You don't have to tell him why, just make something up.
► invent to think of a story, excuse, name etc that is not true in order to deceive people: · I invented reasons for never seeing him again.· He began inventing excuses for why he had done nothing to help.· He invented fictional ancestors and a family history to impress the girls.
► fabricate formal to think of a false story, piece of information etc in order to deceive people or prevent them from discovering the truth: · Officials were accused of fabricating the evidence that was given at the trial.· The woman said she fabricated her testimony because she thought she was going to get a $10,000 reward.
► cook up informal /concoct formal to spend time thinking of a false story, excuse, plant etc, especially with other people: · I cooked up an excuse so I could leave early.· His lawyers concocted a theory that the police had planted the evidence against him.cook up a scheme: · He cooked up some crazy scheme for making money, and ended up being arrested.
to think of a reason or explanation that is untrue► make up to think of a reason, explanation, excuse etc that is untrue: make up something: · I gave her my name, then made up a telephone number with a Los Angeles area code.make something up: · "You're saying you think Bobby just made it up?" "I think he believes it, but I'm not sure it's true."
► invent to think of a reason, explanation, or excuse that is sometimes very complicated but completely untrue: · I began to invent reasons for staying away from work.· It was proven that one witness's story had been invented.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► make up/think up/invent an excuse
Word family· I made up some excuse about my car breaking down.· We’d better think up an excuse, fast.
► make up/invent a story· She confessed to making up the story of being abducted.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► ever· The answer is one of the most neglected and abused kitchen appliances ever invented: the refrigerator.· Olestrathe trade name is Oleanis unlike any other fake food ever invented.· That, next to law enforcement, is the biggest bunk slogan ever invented.
NOUN► concept· Why not invent some other legal concept or, for example, use the legal notion of partnership?
► device· Some one invents a scrambler device so people can use their Cellnet phones without the opposition listening in.· After the war, the engineers had to invent some mammoth excavation devices to shoehorn them out.
► form· We have invented new forms of assistance to match the overall situation.· It is extremely unlikely that if the House of Lords did not exist it would be invented in its present form.
► game· You can also invent little games, such as kicking a ball in a bucket or bowl of water.· In 1979, it was the people who invented games rather than the participants who apparently needed to take drug tests.· They use it with feeling and flair when they talk, tell jokes, invent word games, and do crossword puzzles.· Richard Garfield invented a game that constantly breaks its own rules.· In 1997, Rutgers seems intent on inventing another game.
► language· This process of coalition building is so well-known that some companies have invented their own language around it.· This biological tendency is so strong that children can even invent a new language.· He has-most difficult of all for architects-invented a language unmistakably his own.· Thus, they invented their own language and communicated with other robots.· If you invented a completely new language, nobody would understand it.· Gordon has invented his own auxiliary language of abbreviation.· You see, I am in the process of inventing a new language.
► machine· By the 1830s he was a revered scientist and had invented an electromagnetic coil machine.· At Midvale and elsewhere, he would invent machines and other contrivances, a number of which he patented.· Soon, Andrew Kay invented and patented a machine for grinding stones of a standard shape and improved finish.· On any given night you simply couldn't see every decent band without inventing a time machine.· Daedalus dislikes this tedious and wasteful business, and is inventing an in-situ laundering machine.
► name· We invent a false name, invent a destiny, purchase a firearm through the mall.· They invented their own names for objects on the screen.
► process· It was widely believed that Eleanor Coade had invented a new process for making artificial stone.· Until it was invented, this process took many people hundreds of hours of work.· The world has invented many industrial processes which often create pollutants of a kind that do not occur in nature at all.· I missed the maiden flight at Kitty Hawk and managed to be absent when Alan Dershowitz invented the appeal process.· Tamayo said he would, but only if Remba could invent a process that would allow them to have a relief-like dimensionality.
► story· Mr Utterson knows that the true story will not be believed, so he invents a story to tell the police.· They invented happy stories for each other.· Mira starts by drawing a genealogical tree and then proceeds to invent stories to account for it.· I think my father was sort of inventing his own stories to fit himself into the family.· In order to strike the best possible bargain on setting-day the men might invent stories of difficulty and adverse conditions.· Then have each group invent a story they could tell as they show others their magic boxes.· The next day they invented another story, and then another.· Would he invent a story, tell a lie, in order to persuade her to go with him?
► system· Cities fostered competition between service providers and invented new budget systems.· They were all illiterate so I had to invent my own written system for the tongue-torturing phonemes.
► term· Turner did not invent the term, but merely gave it a new and more specialist application.
► theory· Von Neumann invented a mathematical theory of games.
► ways· Investment managers have invented various ways of making this kind of currency investment.· To invent ways of doing things; to see what was needed and attack it without permission.· Las Vegas is also busily inventing new ways of drawing in evermore customers.· We are inventing ways to bring our readers that experience.· They began to invent ways of doing it better.
► word· Extending this aim meant that signs had to be invented when no obvious word - sign equivalent existed.· They use it with feeling and flair when they talk, tell jokes, invent word games, and do crossword puzzles.· Huxley invented the word agnostic and, like many of his contemporaries, became one.· There was much subsequent controversy about who invented the word and how to spell its derivatives.· Second, it provides safeguards against the police inaccurately recording or inventing the words used in questioning a detained person.
VERB► claim· Although we were unaware of the wartime centrifugal launcher proposals, we have never claimed to have invented the idea.· He claimed later to have invented a method of transporting armed men across rivers using pontoons for shoes.· The patentee almost lost his millions because rivals claimed that he had invented nothing, but merely copied the living world.
► credit· I was peeved to see Robert Kilroy-Silk credited with inventing the egg trick in a recent colour supp. profile.· James Watt, who is credited with inventing the steam engine, did not.· More importantly John Sadler is credited with inventing a method of transfer-printing on to earthenware tiles.· Today, Ktesibios is credited with inventing the first honest-to-goodness automatic device.· The calendar spotlighted black inventors, including Sarah Boone, credited with inventing the ironing board.
► try· Tell each group to try to invent a way to keep a jar of hot water hot for a long time.
WORD FAMILYnouninventioninventivenessinventorverbinventreinventadjectiveinventiveadverbinventively
1to 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.2to 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 it: · The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.· Who invented the Internet?create to make or design something new and original: · We 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 thinking: · I’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 one: · How 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 etc: · My 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 crazy: · It 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 complicated: · This 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 mind: · The project was originally conceived by a Dutch businessman two years ago.