adjective · academic

innovative

UK/ˈɪnəvətɪv/US/ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/IN·no·va·tive

Band 6-7speakingtask2

introducing new ideas or methods

Examples

The startup introduced an innovative water‑purifying system.

Universities need innovative approaches to engage students.

An innovative solution can make a big difference in sustainability.

Band 8 sentence

I think investing in innovative technologies is essential if we really want to cut emissions and create sustainable jobs.

Collocations

  • innovative approach
  • highly innovative
  • innovative technology

Word family

innovate verbinnovation nouninnovator nouninnovatively adverbinnovativeness noun

Common mistakes

The company is innovation.The company is innovative.

They have a new idea, so it's innovative enough.They have an innovative idea.

Say it for a higher band

5new6creative7+innovative

Synonyms

creative

novel

Easily confused

creative

Her innovative design solved the storage problem.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In -ive

Learn it with its set