Etymologically
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innovative

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 14:34. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪnˈnɒ.və.tɪv/, /ˈɪn.ə.və.tɪv/ (UK); /ˈɪn.əˌveɪtɪv/, /ˈɪn.oʊˌveɪtɪv/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English innovate + -ive.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Having the character of innovating: 1608 in the OED and MWU, an isolated use in the sense revolutionary;[4][5][6] about 1600 in Etymonline.[2]

Semantic evolution

The word became established from 1796 (1806 in HTOED).[2][6] In commerce, of a product or company, featuring new methods, is a later application.[6][7] Innovatively is from 1962 in the OED,[4] and innovativeness from the mid-20th century.[3]

Timeline

  • 1608 – isolated use.[4]
  • 1796 – in regular use.[2]
  • 1962 – innovatively.[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Introducing or using new methods or ideas; advanced and original.
  2. Of a person, original and creative in thinking.

Word family

  • innovativeness
  • innovatively
  • uninnovative

Usage notes

Longman notes the variant innovatory.[8]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c Kay, Christian; Roberts, Jane; Samuels, Michael; Wotherspoon, Irené, eds. (2009), Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford: Oxford University Press; online edition (2024)
  7. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  8. ^ Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2009), 5th ed., Harlow: Pearson Longman