Creative Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of CREATIVE

1

[more creative; most creative]

:

having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas

• He was more creative [=_imaginative_] than the other students.
• She's a very creative person.
• She has one of the most creative minds in the business.
• a burst of creative energy [=energy that you use to make or think of new things]
• They've come up with some creative new ways to make money.
• a creative solution to a difficult problem
• creative thinking

2

always used before a noun

:

using the ability to make or think of new things

:

involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created

• He teaches creative writing at the university.
• the first step in the creative process
• the show's creative director/team

3

always used before a noun,

usually disapproving

:

done in an unusual and often dishonest way

• It turns out that the company's report of record profits last year was due to some creative accounting.

— creatively

adverb

[more creatively; most creatively]

• Try to think more creatively.
• solving problems creatively

— creativeness

noun

[noncount]

• I admire her creativeness. [=(more commonly) _creativity_]