Meaning & Definition of word "Imaginary"
to
Imaginary
/ɪˈmædʒ.ɪ.nər.i/
adjective:
- 1. Existing only in the imagination; not real.
- Example: The imaginary friend she created helped her cope with loneliness.
- 2. Relating to or denoting figures or quantities that are not real or do not exist in reality.
- Example: In mathematics, an imaginary number is defined as a complex number that can be written as a real number multiplied by the imaginary unit i.
- 3. Unreal; fanciful; not based on any tangible evidence.
- Example: He often told the children stories about imaginary lands and creatures.
- 4. Pertaining to something that is not based on fact.
- Example: Her fear of the dark was born from imaginary monsters lurking in the shadows.
Etymology
From Latin 'imaginary', from 'imaginarius', meaning 'existing in imagination'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
imaginary friend:
A friend that exists only in someone's imagination, typically a child’s companion.
imaginary line:
A boundary that is not concretely marked but is useful for understanding geography.
Related Words
imagine:
To form a picture or idea in the mind.
imagination:
The ability to create ideas or pictures in the mind.
Slang Meanings of imaginary
Meaning: Used to describe something that isn't real, often in a dismissive way.
Example Sentence: He's not a player, just some imaginary guy.
Meaning: Referring to exaggerations or fantasies.
Example Sentence: All those stories of what happened at the party are just imaginary.