creative
Involving the use of the imagination or original ideas to create something new or solve a complex problem. In academic contexts, it refers to the cognitive process of generating novel and useful solutions or interpretations beyond established patterns.
Examples
3 of 5She found a creative way to organize her small kitchen using vertical space.
She discovered an imaginative method to arrange her limited kitchen area.
The committee seeks a creative approach to address the systemic urban planning challenges.
The board is looking for an innovative strategy to deal with city development issues.
That's a super creative costume you made for the party!
You made a very original and inventive outfit for the event!
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Remember that 'Creative' starts with 'Create'. Think of a 'Creator' who uses their 'Creative' mind to 'Create' something new.
Quick Quiz
The designer's ______ approach led to a breakthrough in sustainable packaging.
Correct!
The correct answer is: creative
Examples
She found a creative way to organize her small kitchen using vertical space.
everydayShe discovered an imaginative method to arrange her limited kitchen area.
The committee seeks a creative approach to address the systemic urban planning challenges.
formalThe board is looking for an innovative strategy to deal with city development issues.
That's a super creative costume you made for the party!
informalYou made a very original and inventive outfit for the event!
Creative thinking is essential for hypothesis generation in scientific research.
academicOriginal cognitive processing is vital for developing theories in science.
We need a creative marketing strategy to penetrate the competitive European market.
businessA novel advertising plan is required to enter the tough European sector.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
get your creative juices flowing
to start thinking of new and interesting ideas
creative accounting
exploiting legal loopholes to hide financial truths
creative license
freedom to change facts for artistic effect
Often Confused With
Inventive usually refers to the creation of new mechanical devices or tools, while creative is broader, encompassing arts and abstract ideas.
Imaginary means something is not real; creative describes the ability to produce new things.
Usage Notes
The word is highly versatile and used both to describe a person's inherent talent and the quality of a specific output. In C1 level writing, it is often paired with abstract nouns like 'endeavor', 'pursuit', or 'potential'.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'creation' (the object) when they mean 'creative' (the description). Also, avoid overusing it; for C1, try synonyms like 'innovative' in technical contexts.
Memory Tip
Remember that 'Creative' starts with 'Create'. Think of a 'Creator' who uses their 'Creative' mind to 'Create' something new.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'creatus', the past participle of 'creare', meaning 'to make, bring forth, or produce'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many modern Western societies, creativity is considered a key 21st-century skill, highly valued in the workforce for driving technological and social innovation.
Quick Quiz
The designer's ______ approach led to a breakthrough in sustainable packaging.
Correct!
The correct answer is: creative
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Innovation refers to the process of creating or implementing...
designA design is a plan or drawing produced to show the look and...
brainstormingDescribes a group or individual creative technique used to g...
designA detailed plan or scheme that outlines the functional and a...
artistryThe creative skill, ability, or high quality of execution di...
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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