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Synonyms

generative

American  
[jen-er-uh-tiv, -uh-rey-tiv] / ˈdʒɛn ər ə tɪv, -əˌreɪ tɪv /

adjective

  1. capable of producing or creating.

  2. pertaining to the production of offspring.

  3. Linguistics.

    1. of or relating to generative grammar.

    2. using rules to generate surface forms from underlying, abstract forms.


generative British  
/ ˈdʒɛnərətɪv /

adjective

  1. of or relating to the production of offspring, parts, etc

    a generative cell

  2. capable of producing or originating

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • generatively adverb
  • generativeness noun
  • intergenerative adjective
  • nongenerative adjective
  • ungenerative adjective

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.

Launched less than a month ago, Fruit Love Island is perhaps the first super viral show created entirely by generative AI.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

But the amount of people using generative A.I. for things like mental health support and nutrition advice makes these discrepancies troubling.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

But workers who regularly use generative AI actually feel less productive, new data show.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“This does not appear to reduce the potential cybersecurity sector tailwinds” from generative AI and large language models, Weed wrote.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 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