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

Below, shop some of the top toys for kids of all ages, including imaginative toys for preschoolers, interactive toys for big kids and toys focused on learning and development for babies and toddlers. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Li tells their stories in alternating chapters, loosely grounding her narrative in historical fact and Li’s own expansive imaginative powers. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Nicolas Cage has made a career of playing imaginative, chaotic, and intense character roles. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Murakami’s kooky, imaginative aesthetic injected an entirely new spirit into the brand without reducing it to a gimmick. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 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