French word

inventer

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃vɑ̃te/

Meaning

  • verbinvent

Example

Il a inventé un nouveau jouet.

He invented a new toy.

Illustration for inventer (invent)

More examples

Il invente une excuse.

He makes up an excuse.

Core concept

A mind supplies a form where none existed, whether a useful thing or a made-up account.

Common phrases

  • inventer une excuse

    make up an excuse

  • inventer un mot

    invent a word

  • inventer un jeu

    invent a game

Similar words

créer: To make something new, such as an object or work of art.
imaginer: To form an idea mentally without necessarily making it real.
fabriquer: To make an object from materials or parts.
concevoir: To plan how something will work and shape its design.

Definition in French

Imaginer et mettre au point quelque chose de nouveau, ou créer de toutes pièces une histoire ou une explication fausse.

Word origin

The verb was borrowed through Old French from Latin inventare, related to invenire, 'to find', with its meaning developing from finding or devising to making something up.

Usage tips

  • Inventer is broader than English invent because it also commonly means to make up a story, excuse, or explanation.

Other meanings

  • deviseverb
  • think upverb
  • make upverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word