creativity

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

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR creativity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or quality of being creative.

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.

the process by which one utilizes creative ability: Extensive reading stimulated his creativity.

Origin of creativity

First recorded in 1870–75; creative + -ity

Related formsan·ti·cre·a·tiv·i·ty, nounnon·cre·a·tiv·i·ty, nounun·cre·a·tiv·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for creativity

talent, ingenuity, genius, resourcefulness, originality, imagination, cleverness, inventiveness, vision, inspiration

Examples from the Web for creativity

Contemporary Examples of creativity

These industrial technologies have become the handmaidens of creativity.
Pioneers in Printing
The Daily Beast
October 21, 2014
Actually, Miles Davis was much intrigued by the sheer will to creativity of Coltrane on his better nights.
The Stacks: John Coltrane’s Mighty Musical Quest
Nat Hentoff
October 18, 2014
It removes Europe as the epicenter of creativity in a post-African world.
The Oldest Cave Art May Not Be in Europe
Justin Jones
October 9, 2014
Whether you find it too harsh on the PM or not tough enough, you have to give them points for creativity.
Shark Deathmatch, Crazy ‘Simpsons’ Couch Gag, and More Viral Videos
Alex Chancey
October 4, 2014
It requires learning to think with contexts and concepts, deploying cooperation and creativity.
The Elite American College Pile-On
Michael S. Roth
September 15, 2014

Historical Examples of creativity

Infinite wealth from creativity out of nothing—and eternal life by copying our bodies each time we die!
A World Called Crimson
Darius John Granger
A great deal of creativity has gone into the artistic improvement of ancient archetypes.
The Status Civilization
Robert Sheckley
At times it appears that humans do not compete for achieving higher levels of creativity and productivity.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
Creativity in virtual reality, including creativity of interaction on the Internet, invites play.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin
People could learn about their own creativity and about cognitive processes associated with it.
The Civilization of Illiteracy
Mihai Nadin

Word Origin and History for creativity

1859, from creative + -ity.