inventive

Inventive is an English adjective describing the capacity to create new ideas, products, or methods, often by combining existing elements in unfamiliar ways. An inventive person or approach emphasizes originality, resourcefulness, and the ability to solve problems through imaginative thinking rather than relying on established routines. The term is commonly used in technology, design, education, and business strategy, where novel solutions can improve efficiency, performance, or user experience.

Its etymology traces to the verb invent with the suffix -ive. The word originates from Latin invenire, meaning "to find," and French inventif, with the sense shifting toward creative making in late Middle English. The related noun inventiveness refers to the quality or state of being inventive.

Inventiveness is sometimes contrasted with mere cleverness or luck, as it implies a systematic or deliberate process of exploring possibilities. In practice, inventiveness can be expressed through experimentation, prototyping, interdisciplinary thinking, and the ability to recognize and reframe problems. See also: creativity, innovation, invention, inventor.