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

• clever
• creative
• ingenious
• innovational
• innovative
• innovatory
• inventive
• original
• originative
• Promethean

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

Meanwhile, Florida’s response to homelessness this year has been imaginative. —Eric Gray, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025

The Spa There is no spa at The Six Bells Country Inn. Family-friendly Offerings The Six Bells is very family friendly, especially for toddlers or young children, simply as a result of its imaginative design. —Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2025

This pretty ode to the moon works well for an imaginative child. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 June 2025

Salonen’s first season had to be streamed during lockdown but became the most technologically imaginative of any isolated orchestra. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 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