generative

adjective

gen·​er·​a·​tive ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 

ˈjen-rə-tiv,

ˈje-nə-ˌrā-tiv 

: having the power or function of generating, originating, producing, or reproducing

… Elizabeth Gilbert dives into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity.

—Camryn La Sala

… her gift is essentially organizational rather than generative.

—Martin Filler

: such as

a

biology : of or relating to the production of offspring

vegetative and generative plant growth

the generative organs of mammals

see also generative cell, generative nucleus

b

computing : using artificial intelligence algorithms to create complete units of content (such as text compositions, images, audio, or video) based on a broad corpus of material

Unlike the phone's predictive text feature, ChatGPT is said to be generative (the G in GPT).

—JoElla Carman and Jasmine Cui

see also generative AI

Examples of generative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These results reveal the true state of your brand’s online ecosystem and the strength of your SEO and generative engine optimization strategy. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

What Happens Next As political leaders and policy makers grapple with dizzying advances in AI-generative tools, OpenAI and other firms at the forefront of this new technological age must police themselves. —John Toher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

Microsoft unveiled a new category of PC that features generative artificial intelligence tools built into the Windows operating system. —Jordan Novet, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025

Reddit’s vast conversational trove has proven particularly valuable on a web increasingly dominated by generative artificial intelligence. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing generative

• generative AI
• generative artificial intelligence
• generative cell
• generative grammar
• generative nucleus
• generative semantics

Rhymes for generative

• degenerative
• regenerative
• neurodegenerative

Medical Definition

generative

adjective

gen·​er·​a·​tive ˈjen-(ə-)rət-iv  -ə-ˌrāt- 

: having the power or function of propagating or reproducing

generative organs