invent

BrE /ɪnˈvɛnt/ AmE /ɪnˈvɛnt/

verb en → es

past invented pp invented ing inventing

1 CREATE/DEVELOP [transitive] B1

to create or develop something new, especially a machine, system, or idea

inventar, crear, desarrollar

  • invent something

Collocations invent a new product · invent a story

  • He invented the first steam engine.

    Él inventó el primer motor de vapor.

2 CLAIM [transitive] B2

to say that something is true when it is not, or to make up a story or explanation

inventar, fabricar

  • invent a lie/excuse/story

Collocations invent an excuse · invent a story about something

  • She invented a story to explain her absence.

    Ella inventó una historia para explicar su ausencia.

Phrasal verbs

invent something out of thin air CREATE/DEVELOP C1

crear algo de la nada, inventar algo sin base

  • He invented the idea out of thin air.

    Él creó la idea de la nada.

invent something up CREATE/DEVELOP C1

inventar algo, crear algo

  • She invented a new theory up.

    Ella inventó una nueva teoría.

Idioms

invent the wheel C1

reinventar la rueda, crear algo que ya existe

  • Don't try to invent the wheel; there are already solutions available.

    No trates de reinventar la rueda; ya existen soluciones disponibles.