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

According to McKinsey’s 2024 State of AI report, 65% of businesses now use generative AI in at least one function — double the rate from 2023. —Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

The use of the generative technology to create fake images of public figures is a cause for concern among California lawmakers, who placed limits on the use of AI for commercial purposes and elections during last year’s legislative session. —William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2025

The sounds will go into training datasets used by Musical AI’s clients (its first generative client is Beatoven, the AI music generator company). —Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025

The great thing is, generative AI will never come to the office tired. —Alana Semuels, Time, 11 May 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