What does contriving mean?
Contriving is the present participle of the verb contrive, capturing two closely related activities. Its dominant modern sense is resourceful: to manage or bring about something through skill and ingenuity, especially when obstacles stand in the way — one might speak of contriving a meeting between two busy colleagues or contriving shelter from a sudden storm. A second sense leans toward invention and design: to devise or plan something, sometimes with a hint of cunning or manipulation, as in someone perpetually contriving schemes or excuses. Because of this, the word sits on a spectrum of connotation, praising resourcefulness at one end while suggesting craftiness at the other. It derives from an Old French word meaning 'to find out' or 'devise,' ultimately rooted in medieval Latin, giving it long-standing ties to ideas of invention and cleverness. Whether admiring or wary, writers use contriving to describe minds actively working to bend events toward their desired outcome.
verbThe present participle of contrive: managing or bringing about something with skill and ingenuity, often despite difficulties; or devising, planning, or inventing something cleverly.
- To manage or bring about something by ingenuity, often in difficult circumstances.
- To devise, plan, or invent something, especially with cunning or artifice.
"She kept contriving new ways to keep the struggling business afloat."
"Despite the storm, the crew was contriving a way to reach shore before nightfall."
"He was forever contriving little schemes to amuse his bored classmates."
Before it meant 'scheming,' contrive came from a medieval Latin word meaning 'to turn against' — as if invention itself were a kind of rebellion against circumstance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of contriving
Contriving comes from the verb contrive, which entered English in the Middle English period from Old French controver, meaning 'to find out' or 'devise.' This in turn traces back to medieval Latin contropare, formed from Latin contra ('against') combined with a form related to tropus, the source of the English word 'trope.' Over time the sense narrowed from general discovery and invention to the modern meanings of skillful management and clever devising.
Related word forms
How contriving is actually used
Neutral when describing resourceful problem-solving, but can carry a sly or manipulative undertone when applied to schemes and plots; context and tone determine which reading dominates.
Easily confused with contriving
'Contriving' is the ongoing act of devising or scheming, while 'contrived' describes something already made that feels artificial or forced.