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

Impeccable service in an imaginative, detailed dining room, elevates it above the area's white-tablecloth restaurants. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Osmo offers many different games that come in puzzle form, as well as games that encourage drawing and foster imaginative play. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025

The Blind Elephant was also an early adopter of the cocktails on tap trend and offering a selection of imaginative mocktails. —Susan Stapleton, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025

Displays of industrial arts creations, photography, floral arrangements, food, ceramics and other imaginative items will be open through Sunday at the fairgrounds, 431 Aqua Lane. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 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