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

Remedies are best found in local schools, crafted by imaginative educators, not in the state capital. —Bruce Fuller, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025

She will be remembered for her imaginative spirit, her pioneering role in supernatural fiction, and her generosity, warmth and heart, both on and off the page. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025

Deprived of the cachet afforded by global branding, deep commercial affiliations, and entrenched fanbases, these clubs must eschew traditional paradigms and pursue imaginative strategies for capital formation, revenue diversification, and long-term sustainability. —Priya Oberoi, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

On Tuesday, Miley Cyrus followed her album announcement with a trailer for its accompanying film, which teases an imaginative storyline backed by the album’s 13 tracks. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 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