A1 noun Neutral #2,758 most common

inventor

/ɪnˈventə(r)/

An inventor is a person who creates or designs a new product, machine, or method for the first time. They use their imagination and skills to solve problems or make life easier with new ideas.

Examples

3 of 5
1

My brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.

My brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.

2

The committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.

The committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.

3

Hey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!

Hey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!

Word Family

Noun
inventor
Verb
invent
Adverb
inventively
Adjective
inventive
Related
invention
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'OR' at the end of inventOR as standing for 'Original Resource' – the person who is the source of the new idea.

Quick Quiz

Thomas Edison was a famous ______ who created the lightbulb.

Correct!

The correct answer is: inventor

Examples

1

My brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.

everyday

My brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.

2

The committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.

formal

The committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.

3

Hey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!

informal

Hey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!

4

The inventor applied for a patent to protect her new design.

academic

The inventor applied for a patent to protect her new design.

5

Our company is looking for a creative inventor to join the team.

business

Our company is looking for a creative inventor to join the team.

Word Family

Noun
inventor
Verb
invent
Adverb
inventively
Adjective
inventive
Related
invention

Common Collocations

famous inventor famous inventor
brilliant inventor brilliant inventor
young inventor young inventor
successful inventor successful inventor
great inventor great inventor

Common Phrases

a prolific inventor

a prolific inventor

accidental inventor

accidental inventor

tinkering inventor

tinkering inventor

Often Confused With

inventor vs discoverer

An inventor creates something new that did not exist, while a discoverer finds something that already existed but was unknown.

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Usage Notes

Use 'inventor' when referring to the person who designs a new device or process. It is a countable noun and usually followed by 'of' + the name of the invention.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'invention' (the object) when they mean 'inventor' (the person). Remember that '-or' at the end usually refers to a person.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'OR' at the end of inventOR as standing for 'Original Resource' – the person who is the source of the new idea.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'inventor', meaning 'one who finds out or discovers'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun (singular: inventor, plural: inventors) Often used in the pattern: [inventor] of [noun]
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Cultural Context

In many Western cultures, inventors like Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell are celebrated as heroes of progress and icons of the industrial age.

Quick Quiz

Thomas Edison was a famous ______ who created the lightbulb.

Correct!

The correct answer is: inventor

Related Words

unknown

A1

A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.

of

A1

A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.

in

A1

A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.

it

A1

A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.

on

A1

A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.

as

A1

A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.

this

A1

Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.

by

A1

A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.

we

A1

The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.

or

A1

A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.

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