# imaginative

/ˌɪˈmædʒənətɪv/ (US) · /ɪmˈædʒɪnətˌɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imaginative
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. creative or inventive

adjective · CEFR B2

having or showing new and exciting ideas; being very creative.

For teachers: possessing or displaying a lively and creative imagination; characterized by originality.

- The chef created an imaginative menu that combined flavors from three different countries.
- The architect's imaginative use of recycled glass transformed the dark industrial space into a vibrant community hub.

### 2. fanciful or unreal

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes something that is not based on facts or is purely made up.

For teachers: tending toward the fanciful or fictitious; occasionally used to describe accounts that lack a basis in reality.

- The witness gave an imaginative account of the event that did not match the video.
- The biographer was criticized for including several imaginative passages that lacked any documentary evidence from the subject's life.

## Examples

- She wrote an imaginative story about a talking cat.
- The architect's imaginative use of glass and light transformed the dark basement into a bright studio.
- While the plot follows a familiar structure, the author's imaginative world-building elevates the novel above typical genre tropes, creating a truly immersive experience for the reader.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.