creative

1 of 2

adjective

cre·​a·​tive krē-ˈā-tiv 

ˈkrē-ˌā-

1

: marked by the ability or power to create : given to creating

the creative impulse

a creative genius

2

: having the quality of something created rather than imitated : imaginative

the creative arts

creative writing

3

: managed so as to get around legal or conventional limits

creative financing

also : deceptively arranged so as to conceal or defraud

creative accounting

creatively adverb

creativeness noun

creative

2 of 2

noun

1

: one who is creative

especially : one involved in the creation of advertisements

2

: creative activity or the material produced by it especially in advertising

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Examples of creative in a Sentence

Adjective

She's a very creative person.

She has one of the most creative minds in the business.

They've come up with some creative new ways to make money.

a creative solution to a difficult problem

He teaches creative writing at the university.

the first step in the creative process

It turns out that the company's report of record profits last year was due to some creative accounting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Until one label — Darkroom Records, the home of Billie Eilish — got creative. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2024

With roots in engineering and an illustrious career managing campaigns for iconic events like the Oscars and American Idol, Valdez brought a unique blend of technical expertise and creative vision to his work. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

Noun

The decision to put down roots in Milan has opened up doors for Ross, as a producer and as a mentor to executives and creatives on both sides of the Atlantic. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 Dec. 2024

This was followed by the launch of a new collection with Korean fashion label Mardi Mercredi in November as part of its Co-Lab program—known for tapping top artists, big celebrities, and creatives. —Gemma A. Williams, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin creātīvus, from Latin creātus, past participle of creāre "to beget, give birth to, create entry 1" + -īvus -ive

Noun

derivative of creative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing creative

• creative evolution

Kids Definition

creative

adjective

cre·​ative

krē-ˈāt-iv

1

: able to create especially new and original things

2

: showing or requiring imagination

creative writing

creatively adverb

creativeness noun

creativity

ˌkrē-ā-ˈtiv-ət-ē

ˌkrē-ə-

noun