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

And now, with the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI), terrorists have yet another tool at their disposal. —Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025

Tech companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Nvidia have used these datasets to develop generative video tools that can churn out custom clips, raising unresolved legal questions about copyright and fair use. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025

Enterprise buyers should demand hard guarantees that data isn't co-mingled, reused or leaked through generative models. —Khash Kiani, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

This work is part of AI Watchdog, The Atlantic’s ongoing investigation into the generative-AI industry. —Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 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