Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Inventive /ĭn-vĕnʹtĭv/ · In·vent·ive · IPA /ɪnˈvɛntɪv/ 01 a. Able and apt to invent; quick at contrivance; ready at expedients; as, an inventive head or genius. 1. Able and apt to invent; quick at contrivance; ready at expedients; as, an inventive head or genius.