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divergent thinker

divergent thinker

1 6.7
A person who thinks of many new ideas to solve problems
  • noun
  • /dɪˈvɜrdʒənt ˈθɪŋkər/
translation icon : pensador divergente
  • As a divergent thinker, she approaches challenges by thinking outside the box.
  • divergent thinkers tend

Examples

  • Divergent thinkers like to follow the novelty of an idea and see where it leads.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Developing more awareness of what social conformity requires allows divergent thinkers some choice about when to try to be like others and when to show their uniqueness.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Performance and behavior at home and school are often problems for divergent thinkers.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Divergent thinkers need to find the support of some people with whom they share a dream.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Divergent thinkers also have to deal with being different without understanding why.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Divergent thinkers need some help in learning to understand social convention.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Many children who are divergent thinkers appear to be disorganized and absent-minded, particularly in school.

    Academic text (1992)
  • It is their lack of conformity that makes it so difficult for divergent thinkers to fit in socially.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The goal of caring adults is to help divergent thinkers find validation for the creative self, to develop this unique self, and to learn to deal with living in a less than appreciative, sometimes hostile world.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Divergent thinkers often come up with original solutions that others may not consider.

Synonyms

innovator
vsdivergent thinker
38 4.3

A person who creates new ideas or ways of doing things

focuses on unconventional problem approaches and idea generation
creative thinker
vsdivergent thinker
1 3.6

A person who has new ideas and finds new ways to solve problems

uses unconventional approaches to generate innovative solutions

Antonyms

2 5.7

A person who follows rules and usual ways instead of trying new ideas

A person who prefers traditional ways and customs

How Original

visionary
47 6.3
innovator
38 4.3
divergent thinker
1 6.7
conventionalist
  • Formal
8.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

divergent + thinker

The meaning is directly compositional: 'divergent' (deviating/differing) modifies 'thinker' (a person who thinks) to yield someone whose thinking departs from the norm or follows unconventional directions. This descriptive, non-idiomatic combination follows regular lexical modification patterns and would be inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The term divergent thinker comes from the image of divergent meaning going different ways and thinker meaning someone who thinks, like branches on a tree or roads that split into 'many directions'. So, a divergent thinker is someone who tries 'many different ideas' and finds new or unusual solutions.