creative

adjective cre·a·tive \ krē-ˈā-tiv , ˈkrē-ˌā- \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of creative

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

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creatively

adverb

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creativeness

noun

See creative defined for English-language learners

See creative defined for kids

Examples of creative in a Sentence

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 of creative from the Web

Anheuser-Busch InBev has largely left Golden Road's day-to-day operations alone and allows its brewers to be creative and innovative, Levoe said.

— cassie dickman, sacbee, "Golden Road Brewing hopes Sacramento craft beer community will give it a chance | The Sacramento Bee," 8 May 2018
But here are some other brilliant, hilarious and creative reactions to Washington’s victory over Pittsburgh.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Hear D.C. radio's spectacular call of Capitals' win over Penguins, plus other amazing reactions," 8 May 2018
Her mother is an English and creative writing teacher at Oakton High School in Vienna, Va. Lieutenant Compton, 27, is known as Jake.

— New York Times, "Sarah Sullivan, Jake Compton," 6 May 2018
According to the job posting, an ideal candidate was a talented and creative Lego builder but is also great with children and comfortable with public appearances.

— chris pugh, Cincinnati.com, "New Legoland Discovery Center master builder tops over 2,000 for job," 6 May 2018
This past Thursday, Duvernay accepted the Woman of Vision award at the 30th annual Gloria Awards in New York City, which celebrates women's creative and technical achievements in media.

— refinery29.com, "Ava DuVernay Defends Only Hiring Female Directors: "Sue Me"," 5 May 2018
Mullins always has a handful of po-boys on the lunch menu, both traditional and creative.

— todd a. price, NOLA.com, "YaYa's in Harahan is all about breakfast and lunch: Opening alert," 5 May 2018
And Buddy is really better off with Beth, who’s creative and kind.

— noel murray, The Verge, "After Tully, watch Charlize Theron in Young Adult," 4 May 2018
Deanna, 11, is an outgoing, smart and creative young girl.

— the star, kansascity, "Deanna is an outgoing, smart and creative young girl | The Kansas City Star," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'creative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of creative

see ¹create

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1678

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

creative Synonyms

creative

noun

Definition of creative

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

Recent Examples of creative from the Web

Similar things are happening across the country, but Portland feels particularly unsafe because the city is 76 percent white, said Stephanie Duncker, a black creative who has lived in New York and Florida.

— casey parks, OregonLive.com, "Portland's people of color felt under attack long before MAX stabbings," 3 June 2017
Rocket League creative will air across WWE Network, WWE’s digital and social channels, and on WWE’s flagship TV programs Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live on USA Network.

— posted jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Psyonix, WWE announce Rocket League partnership," 17 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of creative

see ¹create

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1938

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

CREATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

creative

adjective

Definition of creative for English Language Learners

: having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas
: using the ability to make or think of new things : involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created
: done in an unusual and often dishonest way

CREATIVE Defined for Kids

creative

adjective cre·a·tive \ krē-ˈā-tiv \

Definition of creative for Students

: able to invent or produce new and original things

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creatively

adverb

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creativeness

noun

Word Root of creative

The Latin word creāre, meaning “to produce” or “to cause,” gives us the root cre. Words from the Latin creāre have something to do with producing or causing. To create something is to produce it. Anyone creative is able to produce new and original things. A creature is a being that was alive when it was produced