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

In the imaginative geography of the novel, the border region becomes not one but many overlapping environments, in which a variety of meanings accrue. —David L. Ulin, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025

As the zodiac’s most imaginative archetype, Pisces is a portal to the subconscious realm and everything that can’t be explained with reason alone. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025

Left-handers, therefore, must be more imaginative—a quality increasingly valued not just in the arts but also by the burgeoning tech sector. —Megan Marshall, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2025

Designers can integrate sculptural lighting fixtures, iridescent finishes and futuristic materials to craft spaces that are bold, imaginative and visually striking. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 21 Jan. 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