ə̇nˈventiv, -tēv also -təv adjective
Etymology: Middle English inventif, from Middle French, from invention, after such pairs as Middle French action: actif active
1. : having the capacity for or being a prolific producer of inventions : creative , ingenious
an inventive writer
an inventive composer
the preposition … is a tremendously inventive word — R.M.Weaver
2. : of, relating to, or characterized by invention
the war gives rise to incidents … beyond the inventive power of the human imagination — Maya Deren
exquisite gold work and inventive ceramics — Angélica Mendoza
a mechanic of an inventive turn of mind — J.Q.Dealey
• in·ven·tive·ly -tə̇vlē, -li adverb