imaginative

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

Synonyms of imaginative

• inventive
• creative
• innovative
• talented
• innovational

Examples of imaginative in a Sentence

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

The restaurant's menu is quite imaginative.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two imaginative universes are uniting for an exciting crossover event. —Sarah Scott, Parents, 22 Dec. 2025

Having premiered in Un Certain Regard in Cannes this year, and opening this week in the US, the result is one of the most imaginative genre films of the year, like William Golding’s Lord of the Flies as made by David Cronenberg. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2025

The studio’s contents had been scattered after his death, in 1972, so putting the whole thing back together again, as scrupulously as circumstances permitted, was a feat both curatorial and imaginative. —Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Still, the weird relationship hysterics in the film feel like something Cameron probably had a hand in creating, and there are some imaginative kills. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

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