notion
Americannoun
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notions
plural
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a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something.
a notion of how something should be done.
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an opinion, view, or belief.
That's his notion, not mine.
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conception or idea.
his notion of democracy.
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a fanciful or foolish idea; whim.
She had a notion to swim in the winter.
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an ingenious article, device, or contrivance; knickknack.
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notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, especially such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store.
noun
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a vague idea; impression
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an idea, concept, or opinion
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an inclination or whim
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of notion
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; see notify, -ion
Explanation
If you have a notion that you can swim across the ocean, you are probably wrong. A notion is an idea, often vague and sometimes fanciful. A notion is lighter than a theory and embraces a whimsy that a simple idea never could. You might have the notion that you can slow global warming by taking public transportation and reusing plastic bags. If you share a far-fetched idea with others, someone might respond with a "Where'd you get that notion?!" Notions can also refer to the buttons, thread, zippers, and pins necessary for sewing things. So if you have a notion to create your own Halloween costume, you better pick up some notions from the craft store.
Vocabulary lists containing notion
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Still, he has repeatedly disputed the notion that he is taking the race for granted.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
Most of his top aides would probably advise against the notion.
From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2026
That’s why stories about AI bots being put into virtual torture chambers aren’t just silly, but foregrounds the false notion that AI is capable of suffering.
From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026
This was all watched by an impassive City chief executive Ferran Soriano, but any notion their fans would turn on the owners was dispelled by a flag reading: 'In Khaldoon We Trust.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
I had no notion at first as to what it might be, and from the look of puzzlement on his face as he handed it over to her, neither did Karl.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Western traditions of symmetry and notions of linear time are upended.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
They beautifully elucidate Herzog’s complex notions of loneliness, reminding us that the heart’s desire to cling to something familiar and safe can also be its undoing.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
The book starts with a quick tour of psychoanalytic notions about the urge to collect.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026
Pacific security researcher Maima Koro said typical notions of give-and-take diplomacy missed the point.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Traditional notions of the king in society, after all, brooked no possibility of “exploitation” in the modern sense.
From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
