notion

American  

[noh-shuhn] / ˈnoʊ ʃən /

noun

• notions
  plural

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.

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notion British  

/ ˈnəʊʃən /

noun

1. a vague idea; impression

2. an idea, concept, or opinion

3. an inclination or whim

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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

• notionless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• notions
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

notion notions

The report also highlighted anemic wage growth, which he said goes against the notion that the labor market is tightening.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026

This volume’s notion that Grossman’s writings “gesture towards the Homeric epic” is laying it on a bit thick.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

With Ovy, Karol revived the shadowy timbre of her joint Shakira track “TQG” into the new “Bebiendo Lágrimas,” a reggaeton song that adamantly rejects the notion of love.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

She backed this notion up when asked about her future plans, external by Entertainment Tonight at the NYC premiere of The Odyssey, replying, "Oh, girl, nothing. Just mind my business!"

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

She waves her hand like the very notion is a nuisance.

From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone

I’m wondering if the justices are themselves creating these absurd notions or if appellate advocates are suggesting and steering the justices toward these contrived ways of thinking.

From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2026

“Punctuation troubles our notions of control and authority,” she warns, “of identity both individual and collective.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Helen adds that despite "archaic notions" still being attached to endometriosis, a greater awareness is a positive to both diagnosed and undiagnosed people.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

With his new novel “Contrapposto”, Dave Eggers has written a big-hearted, deeply moving story about the choices artists make, or don’t make, to square up their own notions of success and happiness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

Dr. Rush had no time for such silly notions, but he, too, sensed that something odd was happening.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy

Related Words

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