Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
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Imaginative
Having or showing creativity and originality in thinking; able to imagine new ideas, scenarios, or solutions.
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Imagine This
Imagine a child turning a plain cardboard box into a rocket ship, with starry windows and a crew of talking robots, writing down adventures in a notebook as they travel to imaginative galaxies.
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Sounds Like
Pronunciation: ih-MAJ-uh-nuh-tiv
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Looks Like
Looks like imagine + -ative; visually resembles image or imagination.
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Remember This
Imaginative comes from imagination and shares roots with image and imagine; it describes creative thought or work, not something that is real. Distinguish from imaginary (not real).
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Other Forms
imaginationnoun
imaginativenessnoun
imaginativelyadverb
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Connect With
creative, inventive, original, visionary, fantastical
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Note
Use imaginative to describe people, works, or approaches that are creatively original. It often accompanies nouns like 'imaginative solution' or 'imaginative storyteller.' Avoid implying impracticality unless that is your intention; consider context to convey feasibility.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The author is praised for her imaginative novels that transport readers to magical worlds.
- An imaginative approach to problem solving helped the team design a novel, efficient gadget.
Synonyms
creativeinventiveoriginalfantasticvisionary
Antonyms
unimaginativedullprosaic
Etymology
From Latin imaginativus 'of imagining or forming an image,' from imaginare 'to form a mental image' from imago 'image'.
Mnemonic
Imagine + -ative: the root is imagine; remember that someone who is imaginative is actively imagining and making images in their mind.
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Nebulous
adjectiveDescribing something that is hazy, vague, or not clearly defined; lacking definite shape or detail.
Embrace
verbTo hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to welcome, accept, or adopt something (such as an idea, change, or opportunity) with enthusiasm.
Bias
nounA preference or inclination that prevents impartial judgment; a prejudice or leaning toward or against a person, group, or idea.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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