generative
adjective
gen·er·a·tive
ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 
ˈjen-rə-tiv,
ˈje-nə-ˌrā-tiv
: having the power or function of generating, originating, producing, or reproducing
… Elizabeth Gilbert dives into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity.—
Camryn La Sala
Camryn La Sala… her gift is essentially organizational rather than generative.—Martin Filler
: such as
Martin Filler
a
biology
: of or relating to the production of offspring
vegetative and generative plant growth
the generative organs of mammals
see also generative cell, generative nucleus
b
computing
: using artificial intelligence algorithms to create complete units of content (such as text compositions, images, audio, or video) based on a broad corpus of material
Unlike the phone's predictive text feature, ChatGPT is said to be generative (the G in GPT).—JoElla Carman and Jasmine Cui
see also generative AI
JoElla Carman and Jasmine CuiExamples of generative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, generative techniques will adapt soon, and that’s why our systems must continuously learn and evolve.
—Babu Sivadasan, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Investors will watch closely for updates regarding its generative artificial intelligence system, Apple Intelligence.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Rendering images using traditional VFX techniques is notoriously slow, so the appeal of fast, generative shortcuts was immediate.
—Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 4 June 2025
Similarly, an uptick in unemployment among recent college grads is due at least in part to the potential of generative AI in fields that once seemed immune to automation—and what management sees as a way of cutting costs.
—Gary Rivlin, Time, 4 June 2025
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Babu Sivadasan, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Investors will watch closely for updates regarding its generative artificial intelligence system, Apple Intelligence.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Rendering images using traditional VFX techniques is notoriously slow, so the appeal of fast, generative shortcuts was immediate.
—Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 4 June 2025
Similarly, an uptick in unemployment among recent college grads is due at least in part to the potential of generative AI in fields that once seemed immune to automation—and what management sees as a way of cutting costs.
—Gary Rivlin, Time, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for generative
Cite this Entry
“Generative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generative. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
generative
adjective
gen·er·a·tive
ˈjen-(ə-)rət-iv
-ə-ˌrāt-
-ə-ˌrāt-
: having the power or function of propagating or reproducing
generative organs
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