inventor
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 5My brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.
My brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.
The committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.
The committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.
Hey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!
Hey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!
Word Family
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
My brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.
everydayMy brother wants to be a famous inventor one day.
The committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.
formalThe committee recognized the inventor for his contribution to medicine.
Hey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!
informalHey, check out this cool thing my friend the inventor made!
The inventor applied for a patent to protect her new design.
academicThe inventor applied for a patent to protect her new design.
Our company is looking for a creative inventor to join the team.
businessOur company is looking for a creative inventor to join the team.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a prolific inventor
a prolific inventor
accidental inventor
accidental inventor
tinkering inventor
tinkering inventor
Often Confused With
An inventor creates something new that did not exist, while a discoverer finds something that already existed but was unknown.
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
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 Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
unknown
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1A 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
A1Used 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
A1A 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
A1The 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
A1A 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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