imaginary
existing only in the imagination or fancy; not real; fancied: an imaginary illness; the imaginary animals in the stories of Dr. Seuss.
Origin of imaginary
1Other words for imaginary
Opposites for imaginary
Other words from imaginary
- im·ag·i·nar·i·ly, adverb
- im·ag·i·nar·i·ness, noun
- non·im·ag·i·nar·i·ly, adverb
- non·im·ag·i·nar·i·ly·ness, noun
- non·im·ag·i·nar·i·ness, noun
- non·im·ag·i·nar·y, adjective
- pre·im·ag·i·nar·y, adjective
- un·im·ag·i·nar·y, adjective
Words that may be confused with imaginary
- imaginary , imaginative
Words Nearby imaginary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use imaginary in a sentence
Before the pandemic, every time I left the house, I put on an imaginary “mask” so I could interact with people.
I’m autistic. I’m hoping I can wear a mask for the rest of my life. | Christine M. Condo | February 2, 2021 | Washington PostTo the child, although they know that it is an imaginary being, the friend apparently has a mind of its own—sometimes saying it’s too busy to play, for example.
Can You Treat Loneliness By Creating an Imaginary Friend? - Facts So Romantic | Jim Davies | January 15, 2021 | NautilusAfter turning around and flexing, Beal locked eyes with Russell Westbrook on the sideline, and both players cradled an imaginary bundle in their arms — rock the baby.
At last, Wizards get their first win by cruising to a rout of the Timberwolves | Ava Wallace | January 2, 2021 | Washington PostIt’s the imaginary line that goes longways through the football.
Researchers reveal the secret to the perfect football throw | Harini Barath | December 15, 2020 | Science News For StudentsThat’s why he won, not because of some imaginary manufacturing of votes in Philadelphia.
Texas has managed the near-impossible: Its presidential election lawsuit just got worse | Philip Bump | December 11, 2020 | Washington Post
I have an imaginary place, and these are the people who live there.
Did you make up any imaginary friends while you were in the caves?
Scott Haze on Playing a Necrophiliac in ‘Child of God’ and Naked Paintballing with James Franco | Melissa Leon | August 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPretending and imaginative play also flourish, and imaginary friends are common companions to young schoolchildren.
Diagnosing Jane, Louis C.K.’s Troubled Daughter on ‘Louie’ Who Can’t Separate Dreams From Reality | Russell Saunders | May 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt could be said, however, that the imaginary slide show monologue begat the very real novel.
Having celebrities is like having imaginary friends, which, come to think of it, most of our friends are.
He was continually presenting innumerable imaginary fivers to little people.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsAnd then at last the man himself took to forgetting the imaginary writer and poured out words of love, warm, true, and passionate.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeIt is the fate of all authors or chroniclers to create imaginary friends, and lose them in the course of art.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2) | Charles DickensHe believed in demons, spirits, and dragons, and in nearly every house were idols in honour of the imaginary deities.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeThese stories represent early traditions and may easily be true, though they may be merely imaginary.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
British Dictionary definitions for imaginary
/ (ɪˈmædʒɪnərɪ, -dʒɪnrɪ) /
existing in the imagination; unreal; illusory
maths involving or containing imaginary numbers. The imaginary part of a complex number, z, is usually written Im z
Derived forms of imaginary
- imaginarily, adverb
- imaginariness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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