Meaning & Definition of word "Imaginary"

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.