Contrive Meaning in English
word
Definition
To create, plan, or achieve something in a clever or skillful way, often by using ingenuity when it's difficult.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and literary; often implies cleverness or resourcefulness, sometimes suggesting artificiality or being overly elaborate. Common with words like 'contrive a plan', 'contrived excuses'. Not used for simple creation—implies overcoming obstacles.
Spanish: ingeniar - idear - maquinarPortuguese (BR): inventar - arquitetar - tramarPortuguese (PT): inventar - arquitetar - tramarChinese (Simplified): 策划 - 想出 - 设法做到Chinese (Traditional): 策劃 - 想出 - 設法做到Hindi: उपाय निकालना - जुगाड़ करनाArabic: ابتكر - دبر - اختلقBengali: উদ্ভাবন করা - কৌশলে বের করা - পরিকল্পনা করাRussian: замыслить - изобрести - ухитритьсяJapanese: 工夫する - 考案するVietnamese: xoay xở - nghĩ ra - bày mưuKorean: 궁리하다 - 고안하다Turkish: ayarlamak - tasarlamak - düzenlemekUrdu: تدبیر کرنا - سوچنا - ترکیب نکالناIndonesian: mengakali - merancang - menyiasati
Example Sentences
She contrived a plan to surprise her friend.
basic
They contrived an excuse for being late.
basic
How did you contrive to get two days off work?
natural
Everything about his story felt a little contrived.
natural
If we can contrive a meeting, I’d love to catch up soon.
natural
He managed to contrive a way to fix the problem.
basic