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

But we must now direct at least as much creativity, investment and political will toward adaptation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a statement, Barb said staff had "poured passion, creativity, and hard work into our games and our studio", adding that it was "deeply saddened" and "didn't anticipate having to make redundancies after launch".

Read more on BBC

Linklater, the man behind “School of Rock” and “Me and Orson Welles,” has made several films about creativity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I'm just really enjoying this moment. This is a big new frontier for me. And it just made me feel like, gosh, creativity doesn't stop at any one age. It just goes on and on."

Read more on BBC

Merced’s California Highway Patrol gave the unnamed driver “points for creativity” with a post on social media.

Read more on Los Angeles Times