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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.

Some even “feel interesting and generative and exciting instead of limiting and disappointing,” she said, which “emerged with writing this book.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Now, over half of Americans, according to the Brookings Institution, use generative AI regularly for personal reasons.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

BNP Paribas analyst Stefan Slowinski upgraded ServiceNow to Outperform from Neutral last month, pointing out that the company’s Now Assist generative AI product surpassed $600 million in annual contract value in the fourth quarter.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Therefore, she thinks Google will lead the pack when it comes to return on invested capital from generative AI over the next decade.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 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