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

The Hollywood Climate Summit The Hollywood Climate Summit celebrates its fifth anniversary by helping the entertainment industry tackle climate issues through imaginative teamwork. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 5 May 2025

Few could produce an environment that layers raw materials in a way that feels not only imaginative, but intentional. —Brett Braley, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2025

The future is happening now and requires a proactive, imaginative and collaborative effort from all of us. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Ramona is an imaginative (and mischievous) fourth grader who is always up to something. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 10 Apr. 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