imaginative

i‧ma‧gi‧na‧tive /ɪˈmædʒənətɪv, ɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv/ adjective
[Word Family: adjective: imaginable ≠ unimaginable, imaginary, imaginative ≠ unimaginative, unimagined; noun: imagination, imaginings; adverb: unimaginably, imaginatively; verb: imagine]
1. containing new and interesting ideas:
   • an imaginative use of computer technology
   • children’s imaginative play
   • an imaginative solution to the litter problem
2. good at thinking of new and interesting ideas:
   • an imaginative child
—imaginatively adverb

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

imaginative

im·agina·tive [ɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv] [ɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv] adjective

having or showing new and exciting ideas

Syn: inventive

• an imaginative approach/idea/child

• recipes that make imaginative use of seasonal vegetables

• You'll need to be a little more imaginative if you want to hold their attention.

Opp: unimaginative

Derived Word: imaginatively

Word Origin:

[imaginative imaginatively] late Middle English: from Old French imaginatif, -ive, from medieval Latin imaginativus, from Latin imaginat- ‘represented as an image’, from imago, imagin- ‘image’.

Example Bank:

• You'll need to be a little more imaginative if you want to hold their attention.

• an imaginative child

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

imaginative /ɪˈmædʒ.ɪ.nə.tɪv/ US /-ţɪv/
adjective APPROVING
1 new, original and clever:
an imaginative new approach/policy
The architects have made imaginative use of glass and transparent plastic.

2 good at producing ideas or things that are unusual, clever or showing skill in inventing:
an imaginative designer

imaginatively /ɪˈmædʒ.ɪ.nə.tɪv.li/ US /-ţɪv-/
adverb

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

imaginative

[ɪmæ̱ʤɪnətɪv]
ADJ-GRADED (approval)
If you describe someone or their ideas as imaginative, you are praising them because they are easily able to think of or create new or exciting things.
  ...an imaginative writer.
  ...hundreds of cooking ideas and imaginative recipes...
  They should adopt a more imaginative approach and investigate alternative uses for their property.
Syn:
inventive
Ant:
unimaginative
  Derived words:
  imaginatively ADV-GRADED ADV with v The hotel is decorated imaginatively and attractively.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

imaginative

imag·i·na·tive /ɪˈmæʤənətɪv/ adj
1 [more ~; most ~] : having or showing an ability to think of new and interesting ideas : having or showing imagination
• an imaginative [=creative] filmmaker
• She wrote an imaginative story about life on the planet Venus.
• The restaurant's menu is quite imaginative.
• imaginative thinking/writing
2 always used before a noun : of or relating to imagination
• a child's imaginative life
- imag·i·na·tive·ly adv
• an imaginatively designed menu