imaginative

1 of 2

adjective

imag·​i·​na·​tive i-ˈma-jə-nə-tiv 

i-ˈmaj-nə-tiv;

-ˈma-jə-ˌnā-

1

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by imagination

an imaginative story

b

: tending to provoke, excite, or enliven the imagination

made some imaginative comments

c

: able to handle new or difficult problems : resourceful

a young and imaginative new leader

d

: full of freshness, originality, or vividness

imaginative designs

an imaginative menu

2

: given to imagining : having a lively imagination

a child's imaginative life

an imaginative filmmaker

3

: of or relating to images

especially : showing a command of imagery

imaginative wording

4

: devoid of truth : false

Reports of the incident were wholly imaginative.

imaginatively adverb

imaginativeness noun

imaginativeness

2 of 2

noun

imag·​i·​na·​tive·​ness

|ivnə̇s, 

|ēv- also |əv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being imaginative

Synonyms of imaginative

Adjective

• inventive
• creative
• innovative
• talented
• innovational

Examples of imaginative in a Sentence

Adjective

She wrote an imaginative story about life on the planet Venus.

The restaurant's menu is quite imaginative.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The next breakthrough in cancer diagnosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and countless other conditions is likely sitting today in a university laboratory or is an idea in some imaginative scientist’s head. — Robert Dannals, Baltimore Sun, 20 July 2026

Auspicious Jupiter energizes your 3rd House of Communication while imaginative Neptune harmonizes from your 11th House of Friends and Community, making ideas, introductions, and pitches flow more easily. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026

This was how Szymborska chose to commemorate the loss of her own great love; quietly, obliquely, and with vast imaginative generosity. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

Rookie coordinator Christian Parker is a high-energy, imaginative coach with strong communication and instructional skills and a knack for developing young talent. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English ymaginatif "employing mental images, curious, inventive," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French, "of the imagination, having a strong imagination, shrewd," borrowed from Medieval Latin imāginātīvus "of the imagination," from Latin imāginātus, past participle of imāginārī "to imagine" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

imaginative

adjective

imag·​i·​na·​tive im-ˈaj-(ə-)nət-iv 

-ˈaj-ə-ˌnāt-

1

: of, relating to, or showing imagination

2

: having a lively imagination

imaginatively adverb

imaginativeness noun