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

This imaginative play set comes with two extra-squishy extraterrestrial creatures that sit inside their detachable floating bases. —Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025

Owned by a Japanese publishing house, the bookstore benefited from a thoughtful and imaginative architectural firm, SAKO. —Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025

The best sets offer a mix of timeless classics and inventive new scents, from Diptyque’s imaginative creations to Dries Van Noten’s fragrance bottles that are almost too beautiful to put away. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025

Crow’s Bench Crow’s Bench at Schweitzer’s Humbird has indoor-outdoor dining and an elevated menu showcasing local ingredients and imaginative preparations. —Laura Beausire, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 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