creativity
creativity
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "creativity" is /ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvɪti/.
cre-: /ˌkriː/ (as in "cree" in "creek")
a-: /eɪ/ (as in "ay" in "say")
tiv-: /tɪv/ (as in "tiv" in "active")
i-: /ɪ/ (as in "i" in "sit")
ty: /ti/ (as in "ty" in "city")
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Creativity (uncountable)
Adjective:
Creative
Non-creative (less common, but used)
Adverb:
Creatively
Verb:
Create (base form)
Creates (third person singular present)
Creating (present participle)
Created (past tense, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Creativity: The innate human capacity or developed ability to generate new, original, and valuable ideas, concepts, or solutions, often involving imaginative thought and a departure from conventional approaches.
Synonyms: Inventiveness, originality, ingenuity, innovation, imagination, resourcefulness.
Antonyms: Unoriginality, conformity, conventionality, predictability, barrenness.
Examples of Use
Books: "In Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert explores the importance of embracing curiosity and creativity to live a fulfilling life."
Newspapers: "The new school curriculum aims to foster critical thinking and creativity among students, preparing them for future challenges in a rapidly evolving world." (Source: The Guardian)
Online Publications: "Artificial intelligence is increasingly impacting various industries, but many argue that human creativity remains an indispensable element for true innovation and breakthrough discoveries." (Source: Wired)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/Television: "The director's latest film was praised for its visual creativity and imaginative storytelling, pushing the boundaries of traditional cinema." (Source: Variety)
Music: "Beyond technical skill, what truly sets a great musician apart is their ability to infuse their performances with unique creativity and emotional depth."
Video Games: "Game developers are constantly exploring new ways to enhance player creativity, offering tools and environments that allow for unprecedented customization and world-building." (Source: IGN)
General Public Discourse:
"During the community meeting, residents discussed the need for greater creativity in addressing local housing shortages, proposing innovative solutions beyond standard approaches."
"The tech company encouraged its employees to dedicate a portion of their work week to personal projects, believing that fostering individual creativity leads to better overall team performance and new product ideas."
10 Quotes Using Creativity
"Creativity is intelligence having fun." (Albert Einstein)
"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." (Maya Angelou)
"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something." (Steve Jobs)
"The chief enemy of creativity is 'good' sense." (Pablo Picasso)
"Creativity takes courage." (Henri Matisse)
"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." (Mary Lou Cook)
"I feel such a creative force in me: I am convinced that there will be a time when, let us say, I will make something good every day, on a regular basis." (Vincent van Gogh)
"There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all." (Edward de Bono)
"Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity." (Charles Mingus)
"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct arising from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the object it loves." (Carl Jung)
Etymology
The word "creativity" comes from the Latin word "creare," which means "to create, to make, to produce." From "creare," we got the English word "create."
"Creativity" as a distinct word, referring to the ability to create or the quality of being creative, is actually a relatively modern invention in the English language.
The first known use of "creativity" in the sense we use it today (meaning the ability to create) can be traced back to the early 20th century, specifically around 1915. Before this, people would have typically used phrases like "creative power" or "creative ability" to express the same idea. The word "creativity" emerged as a more concise and direct way to describe this human capacity.
So, while the root "create" is ancient, the noun "creativity" itself is quite new, coined to specifically name the concept of imaginative and innovative thinking.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Creativity
Phrases Using "Creativity":
Unleash your creativity: To allow your imaginative and innovative abilities to flow freely.
Spark creativity: To ignite or inspire new ideas and original thinking.
Foster creativity: To encourage and support the development of creative abilities.
Nurture creativity: To care for and develop imaginative potential.
Harness creativity: To control and direct creative energy towards a specific goal.
Boost creativity: To enhance or increase one's ability to create.
Creative outlet: A way for someone to express their imaginative ideas and skills.
Idioms/Phrases with Synonyms (for similar effect):
Think outside the box: (Synonym for "creativity": originality, innovation) To think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective.
A stroke of genius: (Synonym for "creativity": ingenuity, brilliance) A brilliant idea or act.
Lightbulb moment: (Synonym for "creativity": inspiration, inventiveness) A sudden moment of inspiration or understanding.
Brainstorming session: (Related to "creativity": idea generation) A meeting where a group tries to find a solution for a specific problem by amassing spontaneous ideas.
Artistic flair: (Synonym for "creativity": artistic skill, imagination) A natural talent or distinctive style in art or design.
Out-of-the-box thinking: (Synonym for "creativity": originality, innovation) Approaching a problem or situation with fresh, unconventional ideas.
Ignite the imagination: (Synonym for "creativity": inspiration) To stimulate new ideas and thoughts.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of creativity from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
