creative

The word “creative” means involving original ideas or imagination; inventive. In plain terms, showing imagination and original thinking, or (as a noun) a person or material in advertising/design work.

“Creative” is pronounced kree-AY-tihv (/kɹiˈeɪtɪv/ in IPA).

Here is “creative” used in a sentence: “The team came up with a creative solution to the budget problem.”

Words with a similar meaning to “creative” include inventive, original and Promethean.

The opposite of “creative” — its antonyms — are imitative and annihilative.

Depending on how it is used, “creative” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “creative” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin creativus, from Latin creare, "to create.".

“Creative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

Creative describes the use of original ideas and imagination — coming up with something new or expressive. Innovative is narrower, focusing on turning new ideas into practical improvements, often products or methods. You can be creative purely for art's sake, but innovation implies the creative idea is actually applied to change how something is done.

Yes, largely. While some people seem naturally imaginative, creativity is widely seen as a skill that can be developed through practice, curiosity, and exposure to new ideas. Techniques like brainstorming, combining unrelated concepts, and leaving room to experiment all strengthen it. Few experts treat creativity as a fixed trait you either have or lack.

Almost always, yes. Calling someone or something creative is usually high praise, signalling originality, imagination, and inventiveness. The main exception is ironic use, such as "creative accounting," where it hints at bending rules dishonestly. There the positive sense is deliberately twisted to imply cleverness used for the wrong ends.