Skip to content

Contrive Definition & Meaning

contrive
verb
  1. make or work out a plan for; devise; "They contrived to murder their boss"; "design a new sales strategy"; "plan an attack"
  2. come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort; "excogitate a way to measure the speed of light"
  3. put or send forth; "She threw the flashlight beam into the corner"; "The setting sun threw long shadows"; "cast a spell"; "cast a warm light"

"Contrive" in song lyrics

See how contrive is used in real songs:

  • "Because before I go on live all my enemies try to contrive"
    Buck 65 — Sunday Driver
  • "Some loathsome dash the herald will contrive,"
    William Shakespeare — The Rape of Lucrece
  • "Their eyes open they could not contrive;"
    Comical Folk

Usage tips for "contrive"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "contrive" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for contrive to find words that pair well.

Use "contrive" in a verse

Now that you know what "contrive" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does contrive mean?
make or work out a plan for; devise; "They contrived to murder their boss"; "design a new sales strategy"; "plan an attack" come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort; "excogitate a way to measure the speed of light" put or send forth; "She threw the flashlight beam into the corner"; "The setting sun threw long shadows"; "cast a spell"; "cast a warm light"
What part of speech is contrive?
Contrive is a verb.
How many definitions does contrive have?
Contrive has 3 definitions across 1 part of speech (verb).

Look up another word