invent

/ɪnˈvent/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈvent/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈvent/ (ame, mw)

invent — verb

  • inventpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • inventshe / she / it
  • inventedpast simple
  • inventing-ing form

1. to create or design something original that did not exist before, using your ima

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to create or design something original that did not exist before, using your imagination or practical skills

例句

Mert invented a small device that helps farmers check the health of their soil.

invent + noun phrase referring to a concrete device

Students in Nairobi invented a new way to turn food waste into fuel.

同義詞
  • create

    more general; invent implies novelty and originality, while create can mean making anything, even things already known

  • devise

    emphasises careful planning or thinking; slightly more formal than invent

  • originate

    more formal; focuses on being the first to develop something

  • pioneer

    verb; suggests developing something new that others later build on

反義詞
  • copy

    copying means reproducing something that already exists, the opposite of creating it for the first time

  • imitate

    imitating means following an existing model rather than creating something original

文法句型

invent + noun phrase (device / method / game / system)

用法筆記

The direct object is usually a concrete product (device, machine, tool) or an abstract creation (method, system, game, word). Compare with DISCOVER, which means finding something that already existed in nature.

常見錯誤

❌Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and scientists later invented radio waves.
✅Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and scientists later discovered radio waves.
💡'invent' means to create something new; 'discover' means to find something that existed naturally already.
❌The team invented a new species of frog in the rainforest.
✅The team discovered a new species of frog in the rainforest.
💡Species exist in nature before humans find them.

2. to create a false reason, explanation, or piece of information by using your ima

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to create a false reason, explanation, or piece of information by using your imagination, with the aim of tricking someone or hiding the truth

例句

Dahlia invented an excuse about a headache to get out of the family dinner.

invent + excuse as direct object

The little boy invented a dramatic story about a crocodile living under his bed.

同義詞
  • fabricate

    more formal; often used in legal or serious contexts about lies or false evidence

  • make up

    phrasal verb; less formal, very common in everyday conversation

  • concoct

    often humorous or informal; suggests a slightly creative or elaborate falsehood

反義詞
  • report

    reporting tells what actually happened, while inventing creates a false version of events

  • reveal

    revealing uncovers the truth, the opposite of hiding it behind an invented story

文法句型

invent + noun phrase (excuse / story / reason / name / lie / alibi)

用法筆記

The direct object is most often an excuse, story, reason, name, or alibi — something intended to mislead. Unlike LIE (verb), which emphasises the act of speaking falsely, INVENT in this sense focuses on creating the false material itself. This sense is frequently used in journalism and crime contexts to describe fabricated evidence or quotes.

常見錯誤

❌She invented a beautiful story for the writing contest.
✅She wrote a beautiful story for the writing contest.
💡'invent' suggests fabrication or untruth; for creative writing, use 'write' or 'create'.
❌He invented a false excuse for being late.
✅He invented an excuse for being late.
💡'excuse' already implies something not entirely true; 'false' is redundant.