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Contriving Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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contriving

[kษ™nหˆtraษชvษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

creative planning

Contriving refers to the act of devising or planning something with ingenuity and skill. It often implies a degree of cunning or cleverness in achieving a desired result. In many cases, contriving can involve strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving. The term is generally used in contexts where a plan is not only formulated but is also characterized by its complexity or creativity.

Synonyms

devising, formulating, inventing, planning, scheming.

Examples of usage

  • She was contriving a way to surprise him on his birthday.
  • The team is contriving strategies to improve their performance.
  • He spent hours contriving a solution to the complex equation.

Translations

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Origin of 'contriving'

The word 'contriving' comes from the Middle English term 'contriven', which means to devise or contrive. This term has roots in the Latin word 'contrivare', where 'con-' means 'together' and 'trivare' means 'to rub' or 'to grind', suggesting the idea of working together to create something new. Initially, it had a more neutral connotation, focused on the act of inventing or planning. Over time, the term has evolved to carry a more complex meaning, often implying cleverness, cunning, or a level of scheming. Today, it's used in various contexts, from everyday problem-solving to discussions about clever planning in narratives and storytelling.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,096, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.