notion

[ noh-shuhn ]

noun

1. a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something:

   a notion of how something should be done.

2. an opinion, view, or belief:

   That's his notion, not mine.

3. conception or idea:

   his notion of democracy.

4. a fanciful or foolish idea; whim:

   She had a notion to swim in the winter.

5. an ingenious article, device, or contrivance; knickknack.
6. notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, especially such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store.

notion

/ ˈnəʊʃən /

noun

1. a vague idea; impression
2. an idea, concept, or opinion
3. an inclination or whim

Other Words From

• notion·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of notion¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin nōtiōn- (stem of nōtiō ) “examination, idea,” equivalent to (g)nōt(us), past participle of (g)nōscere “to come to know” + -iōn- suffix forming nouns; notify, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of notion¹

C16: from Latin nōtiō a becoming acquainted (with), examination (of), from noscere to know

Example Sentences

The burrowing freeloaders “challenge our notion of what plants even do,” he says.

From Science News For Students

There’s another notion of recursion, which is you can reuse stuff.

From Nautilus

The answer largely depends on how much we build into the notion of understanding.

From Nautilus

The competitive advantage they once had when raising — the notion that they’re focused on an area no one else is — is potentially threatened.

From TechCrunch

The notion that the state’s attorney’s office can’t simultaneously pursue public safety and a broader sense of justice is false, she said, and it would be a mistake to stop the reform efforts now.

From ProPublica

But Brooke was out of step with the New Left and its notion of radical chic.

From The Daily Beast

As Puar further pointed out, this notion of a global gay identity is easily manipulated.

From The Daily Beast

Could you talk a minute about the notion of being an unreliable narrator?

From The Daily Beast

They embraced the notion of a growing America, whose economy could be expanded for the benefit of the majority.

From The Daily Beast

The biggest misfire here, though, was the notion that anyone would believe that this dude looked at all like Prince Harry.

From The Daily Beast

But the Mexican caballeros had no notion of coming up to the scratch a third time.

From Project Gutenberg

Although everybody laughed at such a notion, the Worm-eating Warbler declared that he had a right to his own belief.

From Project Gutenberg

But I couldn't get rid of the notion that he would hand me out the same dose he had given MacRae if only he had the power.

From Project Gutenberg

He had not the least idea what wadding was, and his notion of a bullet was a dockyard cannon-ball bigger than his own head.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet, try as I would to strangle the idea, all through the evening the same horrible, unaccountable notion clung to me.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• approach
• assumption
• concept
• conception
• image
• impression
• knowledge
• opinion
• perception
• sentiment
• suggestion
• thought
• understanding
• view

When To Use

What are other ways to say notion?

A notion is a vague or imperfect idea or a general understanding of something. How is it different from thought, conception, and idea? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.