innovator
gb/ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/ us/ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
role
1
person who introduces new ideas
Someone who creates or brings in new ideas or ways of doing things.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an innovator (in [field])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse innovator with inventor: an inventor creates something new, while an innovator may improve, apply, or popularize an idea. Also, innovator is a noun; the adjective is innovative.
Synonyms
pioneer (Emphasizes being among the first in a new area.)
|
trailblazer (Highlights breaking new ground and influencing others.)
|
inventor (Stronger focus on creating a new device or process.)
Antonyms
traditionalist (Prefers established ways rather than new ones.)
|
copycat (Follows others’ ideas instead of creating or changing them.)
Collocations
a leading innovator
|a major innovator
|an industry innovator
|a tech innovator
|a product innovator
|a social innovator
|an innovator in healthcare
|an innovator in education
|an innovator behind [something]
|recognize/celebrate innovators
Themes
business
|technology
|work
|creativity
Examples
- She was an innovator who transformed online banking.
- The company’s founder is widely seen as an innovator in renewable energy.
- Good innovators test ideas quickly and learn from failure.
Learner examples
- He is an innovator in the food industry.
- Innovators often try new things.
Noun
business
C1
role
2
very early adopter of new products
A person who tries new products very early.
Usage pattern:
innovators (in a market/group)
Common mistake:
In this sense, innovator means an early adopter, not necessarily the person who created the product.
Synonyms
early adopter (More common everyday term for someone who tries new products early.)
Antonyms
late adopter (Starts using something only after it is widely accepted.)
|
laggard (Very slow to adopt new products or ideas.)
Collocations
innovators and early adopters
|innovators in the market
|a small group of innovators
|target innovators
|innovators segment
|innovators’ feedback
|innovators’ uptake
|innovators’ preferences
Themes
business
|marketing
|shopping
|technology
Examples
- Innovators bought the new phone on the first day it was released.
- In diffusion research, innovators are a small percentage of consumers.
- The brand offered beta access to innovators to gather fast feedback.
Learner examples
- Innovators try new products first.
- She is an innovator and bought it early.
Grammar
Dictionary form
innovator
IPA
GB/ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
US/ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
in - nov - at - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: innovator
- Plural: innovators
Word family
Forms
innovators
noun
Core family
Related words
innovatively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
uninnovative
adjective
Advanced or less common
innovativeness
noun
innovatory
adjective
Expressions
disruptive innovator
1/dɪsɹˈʌptɪv ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
business
changer of an industry
A person or company that changes a market in a big way.
Examples
- Streaming services were seen as disruptive innovators in entertainment.
- The startup positioned itself as a disruptive innovator in logistics.
- Not every new product makes a company a disruptive innovator.
innovator in [field]
1/ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ ˈɪn fˈild/
fixed phrase
innovative leader in a field
A person or company that brings new ideas to a subject area.
Examples
- She is an innovator in medical imaging.
- The firm is an innovator in online payments.
- He became known as an innovator in urban design.
innovator of the year
1/ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ əv ðə jˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
award for innovation
An award for the best innovator that year.
Examples
- She was named Innovator of the Year by the industry association.
- The company won Innovator of the Year for its battery breakthrough.
- Three finalists are competing for Innovator of the Year.
product innovator
1/pɹˈɑdʌkt ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
business
creator of new product ideas
A person or company that makes new or better products.
Examples
- The brand became a product innovator by redesigning everyday essentials.
- As a product innovator, she focuses on usability and cost.
- The market rewards product innovators that listen closely to customers.
serial innovator
1/sˈɪɹiəl ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
business
person who innovates repeatedly
A person who has many new ideas and builds many new things.
Examples
- Investors like backing a serial innovator with a track record.
- She’s a serial innovator who has launched three successful apps.
- The board hired a serial innovator to refresh the product line.
social innovator
1/sˈoʊʃəl ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
innovator solving social problems
A person who uses new ideas to help society.
Examples
- She is a social innovator focused on affordable housing.
- The award honors social innovators working in public health.
- Many social innovators partner with local communities to test solutions.
tech innovator
1/tˈɛk ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
innovator in technology
A person or company that brings new technology ideas.
Examples
- The region attracts tech innovators from around the world.
- She’s a tech innovator known for practical AI tools.
- The conference brought together founders and tech innovators.
the innovator’s dilemma
1/ðə ˈɪnəvˌeɪtɚz dɪlˈɛmə/
fixed phrase
business
trade-off between success and change
The challenge of changing while staying successful.
Examples
- The company faced the innovator’s dilemma as its core product matured.
- Leaders discussed how to avoid the innovator’s dilemma by funding new teams.
- The innovator’s dilemma can cause firms to miss the next big shift.