Innovatrice

Innovatrice is a word in the Italian language that functions as a feminine noun and, less commonly, in adjective use. As a noun, it designates a woman who introduces new ideas, methods, or devices; the masculine counterpart is innovatore. The word is formed from the verb innovare (to innovate) and the agent suffix -atrice, a pattern shared with other feminine agent nouns such as creatrice (from creatore) and operatrice (from operatore).

In usage, innovatrice specifies gender and is used across sectors—technology, science, business, culture—to emphasize female leadership in innovation. Examples include biographical contexts, such as un’innovatrice nel campo della biotecnologia or un’innovatrice italiana nel mondo delle startup. As an adjective, the standard feminine form for “innovative” is innovativa; the form innovatrice is not generally used as an adjective. Therefore, when describing a feminine noun with the meaning “innovative,” Italian typically uses innovativa (and innovativo for masculine).

Etymology: from innovare “to innovate” plus the agent-noun suffix -atrice; related to other pairs like creatore/creatrice and operatore/operatrice.

See also: Italian grammar on agent nouns; gendered noun pairs; innovation in Italian lexicon.