INNOVATIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does innovative mean? 

• INNOVATIVE (adjective)
  The adjective INNOVATIVE has 2 senses:

1. ahead of the times

2. being or producing something like nothing done or experienced or created before

  Familiarity information: INNOVATIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INNOVATIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Ahead of the times

Synonyms:

advanced; forward-looking; innovative; modern

Context example:

is British industry innovative enough?

Similar:

progressive (favoring or promoting progress)

Derivation:

innovativeness (originality by virtue of introducing new ideas)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Being or producing something like nothing done or experienced or created before

Synonyms:

groundbreaking; innovational; innovative

Context example:

a mind so innovational, so original

Similar:

original (being or productive of something fresh and unusual; or being as first made or thought of)

Derivation:

innovate (bring something new to an environment)

innovativeness (originality by virtue of introducing new ideas)

 Context examples 

The findings will enable new innovative model systems for solar energy conversion to be developed.

(Scientists pioneer a new way to turn sunlight into fuel, University of Cambridge)

Using an innovative “NeuroGrid” technology, scientists showed that sleep boosts communication between two brain regions whose connection is critical for the formation of memories.

(Study shows how memories ripple through the brain, National Institutes of Health)

An innovative graphene-based film helps shield people from disease-carrying mosquitos, according to a new study.

(Graphene shield shows promise in blocking mosquito bites, National Institutes of Health)

The NCI-designated Cancer Centers that do provide patient care are also expected to conduct early-phase, innovative clinical trials and to participate in the NCI Cooperative Group Program.

(Cancer Center, NCI Thesaurus)

The team behind the research, from the University of Notre Dame in the United States, note that the development of resistance to insecticides requires innovative approaches for controlling the malaria vector.

(Shining light at night quells mosquito bites, SciDev.Net)

The DCEG Intramural Research Award (IRA) is a new competitive funding mechanism to encourage exciting interdisciplinary projects that are innovative and cross the usual organizational boundaries.

(Intramural Research Award, NCI Thesaurus)

This work by Professor Strausfeld and his colleagues is part of a larger innovative project to better understand the organization and evolution of the brains of invertebrates.

(How mantis shrimp make sense of the world, National Science Foundation)

The innovative treatment—sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block—does not involve needles touching the patient.

(Innovative Treatment Offers Relief to Children with Frequent Migraine Headaches, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The Institute builds on the Center's tradition of scientific excellence and promotes the development of innovative ways to diagnose, monitor, and treat cancer through advanced technology.

(David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, NCI Thesaurus)

The City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center is an independent medical and research institution dedicated to developing innovative, disease-fighting strategies in the battle against cancer.

(City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, NCI Thesaurus)