creative
Tending to create things, or having the ability to create; often, excellently, in a novel fashion, or any or all of these.
Word facts
Definition of Creative
Original, expressive and imaginative.
Example sentences
He is a visionary creative.
I've included in my portfolio all the creative I've completed in my five year design career.
Using Creative well
A closer look at how creative is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Able to make new and original things, or showing imagination and fresh ideas.
Use it to praise imaginative, original thinking or work, in art, writing, problem-solving, or design. It fits both people and the ideas or solutions they produce.
Art, writing, advertising, education, and job descriptions or feedback about problem-solving and design.
'Creative' means imaginative and original; it does not mean 'made up' or dishonest, though phrases like 'creative accounting' use it ironically to hint at that.
- imaginative
- Focuses on the mind forming new mental images and ideas; slightly softer, less tied to producing a finished work than 'creative.'
- inventive
- Stresses coming up with practical new methods or devices; more about clever solutions than artistic expression.
- innovative
- Business and tech tone; highlights introducing something genuinely new, often improving on what came before.
- original
- Emphasises not copying others; describes the result as fresh, whereas 'creative' also describes the ability itself.
- unimaginative
- Lacking fresh ideas; dull and conventional in approach.
- derivative
- Critical; describes work that just copies or borrows from others rather than inventing.
- conventional
- Milder; follows familiar patterns without necessarily being bad, just not original.
- Beginner She is very creative and loves painting new pictures.
- In writing The team found a creative solution that no one had thought of before.
- Advanced His creative instincts pushed him to abandon the safe design and try something the industry had never seen.
'Creative' contains 'create'; a creative person is someone who creates new things.
Synonyms for Creative
Related words
Words closely connected to Creative in meaning or use:
Words that rhyme with Creative
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does creative mean?
Tending to create things, or having the ability to create; often, excellently, in a novel fashion, or any or all of these. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does creative have?
There are 3 syllables in creative, divided as kree·ay·tihv when spoken.
What part of speech is creative?
In a sentence, creative functions as an adjective. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for creative?
Close in meaning to creative are ingenious, inventive, fanciful, constructive — choose the one whose tone fits your sentence.
How do you use creative in a sentence?
Example: "He is a visionary creative."