imaginative
Full of ideas
Imaginative describes someone with a strong capacity for forming mental images, ideas, or concepts—especially novel or inventive ones: an imaginative solution to the problem, imaginative storytelling.
The word suggests creativity and originality rather than mere fantasy.
An imaginative person sees possibilities others miss.
Imaginative work shows fresh thinking: The film offered an imaginative take on the classic tale.
Showing original thought
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- inspiredMoved to action
- cleverShowing mental quickness
novel · unconventional · original · innovative · visionary · whimsical · fanciful · quirky
Delicate beyond earthly measure
- surrealDreamlike and strange
- daydreamConscious fantasy while awake
- reverieAbstracted, pleasant daydream
- wistfulSadly longing for something
misty · fanciful · illusory · phantasmagoric · languid · moony · nebulous · starry-eyed
Of folklore, not fact
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
- fairytalesMagical stories for children
- wizardryPractice of casting spells
sorcery · unicorns · fables · enchanted · kingdoms · quest · elves · mermaids
Tomorrow trends scholar
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- idealistPursuer of noble principles
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
utopian · innovator · dreamer · forward-thinking · prophetic · anticipatory · bold · transformative
Pigment on canvas
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- masterpieceSupreme artistic achievement
- muralWall-applied artwork
abstract · surrealism · expressionism · impressionism · brushstrokes · gallery · watercolor · fresco
Inclined toward fun
- pretendAct as though
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- curiosityDesire to learn
daydreaming · storytelling · fantastical · whimsy · play-acting · dress-up · adventures
inventive
Showing original thought
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- inspiredMoved to action
clever · novel · unconventional · original · innovative · visionary · whimsical · fanciful · quirky · intuitive
ethereal
Delicate beyond earthly measure
- surrealDreamlike and strange
- daydreamConscious fantasy while awake
- reverieAbstracted, pleasant daydream
wistful · misty · fanciful · illusory · phantasmagoric · languid · moony · nebulous · starry-eyed · trance-like
mythical
Of folklore, not fact
- dragonsMythical fire-breathing reptiles
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
- fairytalesMagical stories for children
wizardry · sorcery · unicorns · fables · enchanted · kingdoms · quest · elves · mermaids · chimeras
futurist
Tomorrow trends scholar
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- idealistPursuer of noble principles
revolutionary · utopian · innovator · dreamer · forward-thinking · prophetic · anticipatory · bold · transformative · speculative
painting
Pigment on canvas
- sculptureShaped three-dimensional art
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- masterpieceSupreme artistic achievement
mural · abstract · surrealism · expressionism · impressionism · brushstrokes · gallery · watercolor · fresco · collage
playful
Inclined toward fun
- pretendAct as though
- make-believeImaginative play or fantasy
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
curiosity · daydreaming · storytelling · fantastical · whimsy · play-acting · dress-up · adventures
- creative traitscreative, inventive, innovative, original, artistic
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
- childlikeinnocent, naive, wide-eyed, wonder, playful
- descriptorsnew, novel, original, innovative, modern
- whimsicalwhimsical, whimsy, fanciful, playful, quirky
- Outsider Artnaive art, primitive art, self-taught artists, emotional honesty, religious visions
imaginativeunimaginative
Lacking creative originality
uncreative · uninventive · uninspired · unoriginal · derivative
imaginativederivative
Function's rate of change
imitative · hackneyed · unoriginal · clichéd · formulaic
imaginativeliteral
Meaning exactly what's said
literal-minded · matter-of-fact · prosaic · unromantic · realistic
- leave to the imaginationNot make explicit
- figment of imagination
- figment of one's imaginationInvented, unreal thing
- leave little to the imaginationConceals very little
- childhood imaginationCreative thinking in youth
- imaginative playFantasy-driven child activity