imaginative

adjective

imag·​i·​na·​tive i-ˈma-jə-nə-tiv 

i-ˈmaj-nə-tiv;

-ˈma-jə-ˌnā-

1

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by imagination

an imaginative story

b

: tending to provoke, excite, or enliven the imagination

made some imaginative comments

c

: able to handle new or difficult problems : resourceful

a young and imaginative new leader

d

: full of freshness, originality, or vividness

imaginative designs

an imaginative menu

2

: given to imagining : having a lively imagination

a child's imaginative life

an imaginative filmmaker

3

: of or relating to images

especially : showing a command of imagery

imaginative wording

4

: devoid of truth : false

Reports of the incident were wholly imaginative.

imaginatively adverb

imaginativeness noun

Synonyms of imaginative

• 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

But no one who delves into Duchamp can shake the feeling that erotic fixations and frustrated romantic love are at the core of his imaginative universe. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 29 June 2026

The challenges all take place outside of the studio and are wildly imaginative and surprisingly low-fi. — Peter White, Deadline, 29 June 2026

The camp blends fun dance instruction with bold characters, exciting music and imaginative storytelling. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

But Van Sant’s imaginative and deeply poignant retelling of Shakespeare’s Henry IV is a pleasure in its own right, its sweetness and gentle touches of surrealism coming together to form a heartbreaking ode to young love. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026

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