creativity

[kree-ey-tiv-i-tee, kree-uh-]

noun

1. the state or quality of being creative.

2. the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

   the need for creativity in modern industry; creativity in the performing arts.

3. the process by which one utilizes creative ability.

   Extensive reading stimulated his creativity.

Other Word Forms

• anticreativity noun
• noncreativity noun
• uncreativity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of creativity¹

First recorded in 1870–75; creative + -ity

Example Sentences

Where Celtic had struggled for goals and creativity in the latter stages of the Rodgers era, they've flown in under the former Republic of Ireland manager.

Read more on BBC

“Bigger is not always better and becoming preoccupied with quarterly profits and the stock price over creativity speaks to problems at most big corporations in America,” Drexler said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He’s not one to waste time overthinking things, which is best illustrated by his philosophy that a house is a house, not a museum to one’s creativity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It’s about proving that a different way of building technology, one that deepens friendships and inspires creativity, can succeed in a world that often rewards the opposite.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Often derided for their poor quality, obsession with dancing cats and crassness -- an AI "Shrimp Jesus" became notorious after flooding Facebook -- they also raised fears about the death of creativity.

Read more on Barron's