generative
Americanadjective
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capable of producing or creating.
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pertaining to the production of offspring.
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Linguistics.
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of or relating to generative grammar.
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using rules to generate surface forms from underlying, abstract forms.
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adjective
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of or relating to the production of offspring, parts, etc
a generative cell
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capable of producing or originating
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of generative
1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French generatif, Late Latin generātīvus. See generate, -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The rise of generative artificial intelligence has arguably made the public’s desire for original human works even more pronounced.
From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026
“My whole thing is: When you use generative AI to come up with ideas, people forget what ideas were theirs and what ideas were the computer’s,” he says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The paper has not yet been peer-reviewed, and the author has denied the allegations, publicly saying she does not believe that generative AI belongs in the writing process.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
It’s time investors stop ignoring certain nontech industries, especially those that stand to benefit for years from the build-out of infrastructure to support generative artificial intelligence, one fund manager said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
These generative forces make themselves felt through the power of an idea long before their organizational forms can openly challenge the establishment.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
