imaginative

adjective

imag·​i·​na·​tive i-'ma-jə-nə-tiv 

i-ˈmaj-nə-tiv;

-ˈma-jə-ˌnā-

1

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by imagination

b

: devoid of truth : false

2

: given to imagining : having a lively imagination

3

: of or relating to images

especially : showing a command of imagery

imaginatively adverb

imaginativeness noun

Synonyms

• 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

From the indoor batting cages, outdoor bullpen and insane setup, this truly goes down as one of the most imaginative events in recent event history. —Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2025

Disney’s theme parks are designed by its Imagineers who are named after their imaginative use of engineering. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025

Already, the mimicry is good enough for some—the lonely, the imaginative. —Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

For many the captain, 35-year-old Themba Zwane, embodies what Sundowns’ polished, imaginative football stands for. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 July 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