1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating; exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as, man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art. 2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original. This temple, less in form, with equal grace, Was imitative of the first in Thrace. Dryden. 3. (Nat. Hist....