imaginative
gb/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv/ us/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv/
B2
English
~ 7600
ötletes, fantáziadús, kreatív, fantáziára épülő
B2
1
Usage pattern:
an imaginative [person/idea/solution/story/design]
She came up with an imaginative solution that saved the company thousands of dollars.
Olyan ötletes megoldással állt elő, amellyel a cég több ezer dollárt takarított meg.
The film is visually stunning and full of imaginative details.
A film látványvilága lenyűgöző, és tele van fantáziadús részletekkel.
He is an imaginative teacher who always finds new ways to explain difficult ideas.
The architect produced an imaginative design that transformed the old factory into a modern gallery.
Critics praised the novel for its imaginative language and unusual structure.
Learner examples
The children wrote very imaginative stories in class.
A gyerekek nagyon fantáziadús történeteket írtak az órán.
This game is simple but very imaginative.
Ez a játék egyszerű, de nagyon ötletes.
Our manager is imaginative and always has new ideas.
They need an imaginative plan to win new customers.
Her painting is small but very imaginative.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "imaginative" with "imaginary." "Imaginative" describes a person, idea, or thing that shows creativity and original thinking. "Imaginary" describes something that does not exist in real life (for example, an imaginary friend or an imaginary place).
Meaning
creative and full of new ideas
Collocations
imaginative child
|imaginative solution
|imaginative design
|imaginative story
|highly imaginative
|imaginative approach
Synonyms
creative (Broader and more common; focuses on producing original work or ideas, not always with a strong sense of fantasy or vivid inner images.)
Antonyms
unimaginative (Describes someone or something that lacks new ideas and is dull, safe, or conventional.)
Themes
creativity
|art
|work
|education
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Able to think of new and interesting ideas, and to create things that are not usual or simple.
Having or showing a powerful ability to think of new, original, and interesting ideas, especially in art, writing, problem-solving, or design.
C1
2
fantáziadús
B2
Usage pattern:
imaginative [play/story/world/writing/activity]
The therapist encouraged imaginative play to help the children express their feelings.
A terapeuta fantáziajátékra ösztönözte a gyerekeket, hogy segítsen nekik kifejezni az érzéseiket.
The series is set in an imaginative world filled with floating cities and talking animals.
A sorozat egy fantáziadús világban játszódik, tele lebegő városokkal és beszélő állatokkal.
Her imaginative storytelling kept the kids quiet for over an hour.
The course focuses on imaginative writing rather than strict grammar drills.
The game invites imaginative role-play, letting players become heroes, villains, or anything they can think of.
Learner examples
Imaginative play is important for young children.
A fantáziajáték fontos a kisgyermekek számára.
My son likes imaginative games with dragons and magic.
A fiam szereti a sárkányokkal és varázslattal teli fantáziajátékokat.
This book takes you into an imaginative world under the sea.
The teacher asked us to do some imaginative writing about space.
The movie is very imaginative and shows many strange places.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "fantasy" when they mean "imaginative" in general contexts. "Fantasy" is often a specific genre (books or films with magic, dragons, etc.), while "imaginative" is broader and can describe any activity that uses rich mental images or invented situations.
Meaning
involving rich use of imagination
Collocations
imaginative play
|imaginative world
|imaginative writing
|imaginative storytelling
|imaginative fantasy
|imaginative game
Synonyms
fantastical (Emphasizes strange, dreamlike, or magical elements; often stronger and more extreme than "imaginative.")
Antonyms
literal (Focuses only on what is actually real or stated, without inventing extra ideas or worlds.)
Themes
children
|literature
|entertainment
|education
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Using the mind to create pictures, stories, or worlds that are not real, especially in play, books, or art.
Involving or encouraging the active use of the imagination, especially by creating or entering detailed invented worlds, characters, or situations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
imaginative
IPA
GB/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv/
US/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
ima - gin - at - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (gin)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: imaginative
Word family
Core family
Related words
imaginary
adjective B1
imaginable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unimaginative
adjective
unimaginable
adjective C1
Expressions
highly imaginative
1/hˈaɪli ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
very creative and inventive
Very creative; having a lot of new and interesting ideas.
Examples
- It’s a highly imaginative film that feels fresh and surprising.
- Her paintings are highly imaginative and full of strange details.
- The jury praised the project as highly imaginative and ambitious.
imaginative design
1/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv dɪzˈaɪn/
fixed phrase
creative and original design work
Design work that looks new, interesting, and different from usual designs.
Examples
- The building won an award for its imaginative design.
- Imaginative design can make even cheap materials look special.
- The website’s imaginative design helps it stand out from competitors.
imaginative leap
1/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv lˈip/
idiom
creative jump in thinking
A sudden new idea that goes beyond the facts you have, using creativity to connect things in a new way.
Examples
- The theory required an imaginative leap that few scientists were ready to take.
- Good design often starts with an imaginative leap rather than careful analysis.
- Understanding the painting takes an imaginative leap from the viewer.
imaginative play
1/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv plˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
children’s pretend or fantasy play
Play in which children pretend, invent roles, and create stories and worlds in their minds.
Examples
- Preschool should give children plenty of time for imaginative play.
- Costumes and simple toys can encourage imaginative play at home.
- The therapist used imaginative play to help the child talk about his fears.
imaginative solution
1/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv səlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
clever original answer to a problem
A smart and new idea that solves a problem in an unusual but effective way.
Examples
- They found an imaginative solution to reduce waste in the office.
- An imaginative solution is needed to deal with the city’s traffic problem.
- Her most imaginative solution was to share equipment instead of buying new machines.
imaginative story
1/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv stˈɔɹi/
fixed phrase
original and inventive story
A story that has many new and interesting ideas, not just common or simple events.
Examples
- The film is based on an imaginative story about time travel.
- Children were asked to write an imaginative story about animals that can talk.
- It’s a short book, but it tells a very imaginative story.
imaginative world
1/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv wˈɚld/
fixed phrase
invented, detailed fictional world
A made-up place in a book, film, or game that has many creative and interesting details.
Examples
- The author builds an imaginative world where music has magical powers.
- Gamers love the series for its deep, imaginative world and characters.
- The movie creates an imaginative world that feels real and alive.
imaginative writing
1/ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv ɹˈaɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
creative and inventive writing
Writing that uses new ideas, strong images, and made-up stories, not just facts.
Examples
- The course focuses on imaginative writing rather than academic essays.
- Teachers asked students to submit a piece of imaginative writing for the competition.
- Her imaginative writing brings even simple scenes to life.
richly imaginative
1/ɹˈɪt͡ʃli ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
literary
full of detailed creative ideas
Very full of creative and detailed ideas, not simple or plain.
Examples
- Reviewers called the novel a richly imaginative work of fiction.
- The director creates a richly imaginative world on a small budget.
- The exhibition offered a richly imaginative look at future cities.
wildly imaginative
1/wˈaɪldli ɪmˈæd͡ʒɪnɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
extremely and unusually creative
Extremely creative, with ideas that are very unusual or surprising.
Examples
- The show is wildly imaginative and sometimes hard to follow.
- His comics are wildly imaginative, mixing robots, ghosts, and ancient gods.
- It’s a wildly imaginative interpretation of a classic play.