creative

1 of 2

adjective

cre·​a·​tive krē-ˈā-tiv How to pronounce creative (audio)
ˈkrē-ˌā-
1
: marked by the ability or power to create : given to creating
the creative impulse
a creative genius
2
: having the quality of something created rather than imitated : imaginative
the creative arts
creative writing
3
: managed so as to get around legal or conventional limits
creative financing
also : deceptively arranged so as to conceal or defraud
creative accounting
creatively adverb
creativeness noun

creative

2 of 2

noun

1
: one who is creative
especially : one involved in the creation of advertisements
2
: creative activity or the material produced by it especially in advertising

Examples of creative in a Sentence

Adjective She's a very creative person. She has one of the most creative minds in the business. They've come up with some creative new ways to make money. a creative solution to a difficult problem He teaches creative writing at the university. the first step in the creative process It turns out that the company's report of record profits last year was due to some creative accounting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
At Diotima, Oribe hairstylist Joey George and Addiction Tokyo global creative director Kanako Takase tag-teamed a look that involved fresh faces, low buns and a delicate smattering of white paint along the hairline and forehead. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025 The organizations that will create the most meaningful value are not those simply chasing speed, but those that know how to marry the creative speed of AI with best practices, using it to deliver both faster and with higher quality. Daniel Koren, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
The actor, who was among seven esteemed creatives honored at the ceremony, began his speech by citing his mother as a contentious inspiration for a life of service. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025 Even in the late 1990s, when her peers favored minimalist black and neutral staples, the Southern creative embraced vibrant tones and patterns. Jeanne Lyons Davis, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for creative

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin creātīvus, from Latin creātus, past participle of creāre "to beget, give birth to, create entry 1" + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of creative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of creative was circa 1513

Cite this Entry

“Creative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creative. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

creative

adjective
cre·​ative
krē-ˈāt-iv
1
: able to create especially new and original things
2
: showing or requiring imagination
creative writing
creatively adverb
creativeness noun
creativity
ˌkrē-ā-ˈtiv-ət-ē
ˌkrē-ə-
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on creative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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