invent

verb

in-VENT/ɪnˈvɛnt/

3 meanings of invent

1
verbtransitive
To think of and make something completely new, like a machine or a way of doing things.
Like cooking a brand-new dish that no one has ever tasted before.
People invent new tools when the old ones stop working well.
She invented a faster way to wash dishes at the restaurant.
Similarconceive
2
verbtransitive
To make up a story, name, or excuse that is not real.
He invented an excuse for being late to class.
Children sometimes invent imaginary friends to play with.
Similarmanufacture, spin
3
verbobsolete
To find or discover something while searching or by chance.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin inveniō, meaning "to come upon, find, or discover," made from in ("in, on") plus veniō ("come"). English got it through Old French.