invention
10 synonyms for invention, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something newly created or designed.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use invention
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
groundbreaking invention
patent an invention
necessity is the mother of invention
Etymology
From Latin inventiō, from inveniō, "to discover, find, invent."
Full origin of invention →Frequently asked questions
What does “invention” mean?
The word “invention” means something newly created or designed. In plain terms, a newly created thing, or the creative act of coming up with it.
How do you pronounce “invention”?
“Invention” is pronounced ihn-VEHN-shuhn (/ɪnˈvɛnʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “invention” in a sentence?
Here is “invention” used in a sentence: “The telephone was a groundbreaking invention.”
What is another word for “invention”?
Words with a similar meaning to “invention” include discovery.
What part of speech is “invention”?
“Invention” is a noun.
Where does the word “invention” come from?
The word “invention” comes from Latin. From Latin inventiō, from inveniō, "to discover, find, invent.".
Is “invention” a common word?
“Invention” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “invention” have?
“Invention” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something newly created or designed.
What is the difference between invention and discovery?
An invention is something newly created or designed that did not exist before, such as a machine or process. A discovery is the finding of something that already existed but was unknown, such as a planet or a natural law.
What is the difference between invention and innovation?
Invention is the act of creating something entirely new. Innovation usually means developing, improving, or successfully applying ideas and inventions so they are actually used, which is why businesses talk about innovation more than invention.
