Words / B2

kree-ay-TIV-uh-tee/ˌkriːeɪˈtɪvəti/

Creativity is the ability to produce new ideas (uncountable). Creative is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Imagination is close; originality stresses newness. Briefs reward creativity inside a word limit. Do not write “creativities”.

Meaning

The ability to produce new ideas or things (uncountable).

Examples

• “The brief rewards creativity, but the word limit still applies.”
• “Mark schemes that only reward accuracy can crush creativity.”

Good to know

Uncountable: creativity. Adjective: creative. Close: imagination / originality. Art, design, and increasingly science write-ups. Not “a creativity”. Jobs: creativity required.

Near in meaning

imagination

New