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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She wrote an imaginative story about life on the planet Venus. The restaurant's menu is quite imaginative.
Recent Examples on the Web Her work is imaginative, lyrical and utterly captivating. 
Alex Espinoza, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 Grant from early in the war was imaginative and skillful at deploying flexible tactics, including innovative cavalry operations, and a comprehensive strategic view. Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 The young Blazy was imaginative, restless, and undisciplined. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022 The character designs and backdrops are amazingly imaginative; and though the movements and rendering are often glitchy, that only adds to the charm of the residents’ casual conversations. Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2022 The book was released in May 2021 and follows the relationship between a father and Sparkella, a young girl who is imaginative and obsessed with glitter. Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 18 May 2022 This gives product designers a clean canvas to explore imaginative (and delicious) new flavours. The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 July 2022 Pat Hanych started opening her bar to the most imaginative, idiosyncratic, and gnarly expressions of Cleveland music near the end of the ‘80s and kept it up for three decades. Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 16 June 2022 Dougal’s work is never less than astounding: funny, beautiful, heartfelt, imaginative, and totally original. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 June 2022 See More
Alex Espinoza, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 Grant from early in the war was imaginative and skillful at deploying flexible tactics, including innovative cavalry operations, and a comprehensive strategic view. Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 The young Blazy was imaginative, restless, and undisciplined. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022 The character designs and backdrops are amazingly imaginative; and though the movements and rendering are often glitchy, that only adds to the charm of the residents’ casual conversations. Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2022 The book was released in May 2021 and follows the relationship between a father and Sparkella, a young girl who is imaginative and obsessed with glitter. Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 18 May 2022 This gives product designers a clean canvas to explore imaginative (and delicious) new flavours. The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 July 2022 Pat Hanych started opening her bar to the most imaginative, idiosyncratic, and gnarly expressions of Cleveland music near the end of the ‘80s and kept it up for three decades. Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 16 June 2022 Dougal’s work is never less than astounding: funny, beautiful, heartfelt, imaginative, and totally original. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 13 June 2022 See More 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 i-ˈma-jə-nə-tiv
1
: relating to or showing imagination
an imaginative story
2
: having a lively imagination
an imaginative artist
imaginative
adjective
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- inventive
- creative
- innovative
- innovational
- talented
- ingenious
- clever
- gifted
- originative
- original
- innovatory
- prolific
- inspired
- resourceful
- Promethean
- generative
- fertile
- fecund
- productive
- fruitful
- germinal
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimaginative
- uncreative
- unoriginal
- imitative
- uninspired
- uninventive
- unproductive
- infertile
- talentless
2
as in creative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee Synonyms & Similar Words
- inventive
- creative
- innovative
- clever
- artful
- ingenious
- practical
- useful
- sophisticated
- adventurous
- intelligent
- visionary
- convenient
- original
- novel
- fresh
- groundbreaking
- neat
- smart
- complex
- handy
- nifty
- expert
- dexterous
- adroit
- deft
- brainy
- gimmicky
- gadgety
- handsome
- dextrous
- tricky
- cleverish
- sharp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimaginative
- uncreative
- dull
- pedestrian
- stodgy
- pedantic
- derivative
- hackneyed
- unoriginal
- impractical
- useless
- canned
- assembly-line
- cookie-cutter