Meaning & use
contriver
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Meaning
nouncountable
A person who cleverly plans or invents something, especially in a skillful or resourceful way.
Grammar: Countable noun: use 'a contriver' or 'the contriver' when referring to one person.
Patterns
- the contriver of something
She was the contriver of the whole scheme to save the failing company.
The contriver of the new machine received a prize for innovation.
Word forms
| plural | contrivers |
|---|
Common combinations
- the contriver of the plan
- He was the contriver of the plan to reduce waste.
- a clever contriver
- She is a clever contriver of practical solutions.
- the chief contriver
- The chief contriver of the project explained the idea.
Synonyms and how they differ
- inventor
- Inventor is more common and neutral, focusing on creating something new; contriver often suggests clever planning or scheming.
- deviser
- Deviser is similar but more formal and less common; contriver can imply a stronger element of skill or cleverness.
- planner
- Planner is broader and more neutral; contriver emphasizes the cleverness or ingenuity of the person.
Word family
- contrive verb
- To plan or invent something cleverly or resourcefully.
- contrivance noun
- A clever plan or device, often one that seems artificial.
- contrived adjective
- Obviously planned or artificial; not natural.
Commonly confused: contriver or contrive?
contriver vs contrive
Contrive is the verb meaning 'to plan or invent'; contriver is the person who does this.
Practice
Choose the correct word: 'She was the _______ of the clever plan to raise money.'
Choose one answer.
The sentence needs a noun for a person, so 'contriver' is correct. 'Contrive' is a verb, 'contrivance' is a thing or plan, and 'contrived' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “contriver”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.