image
IHM-ihj
Image (noun) means a visual representation of something, such as a picture, photo, or drawing. Example: “The museum printed a large image of the old harbour on its poster.”
noun
1
A visual representation of something, such as a picture, photo, or drawing.
"The museum printed a large image of the old harbour on its poster."
"She hung a framed image of the mountains above her desk."
"The satellite captured a clear image of the storm forming over the ocean."
2
A digital file, such as a photo file or a complete snapshot of a computer's storage.
"Please resize the image before you upload it to the website."
"The email had a small image attached as a JPEG file."
"He downloaded the disk image before reinstalling the operating system."
3
A mental picture of something, often imagined rather than real.
"She had a clear image of her childhood home in her mind."
"He closed his eyes and tried to form an image of the finished garden."
"He couldn't shake the image of the accident from his mind."
4
The public perception of a person, brand, or organization.
"The football club is working hard to improve its image in the community."
"The brand has a friendly, trustworthy image among parents."
"The company hired a PR firm to repair its image after the scandal."
verb
1
To form a picture or representation of something, or to depict it.
"Doctors imaged the broken bone to check that it was healing."
"The telescope can image distant galaxies that are invisible to the naked eye."
"The MRI scan imaged the patient's spine in detail."
How to use image
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA picture, likeness, or reputation — something that represents how a thing looks or is seen by others.
Common pairings
public image
mirror image
disk image
image of
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Word forms
- Plural
- images
- Third person singular
- images
- Past tense
- imaged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum printed a large _____ of the old harbour on its poster.
Etymology
From Old French image, tracing back to Latin imago, meaning "a likeness or copy." Related to the word "imitate."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for image
See all rhymes for image →Frequently asked questions
What does “image” mean?
The word “image” means a visual representation of something, such as a picture, photo, or drawing. In plain terms, a picture, likeness, or reputation — something that represents how a thing looks or is seen by others.
How do you pronounce “image”?
“Image” is pronounced IHM-ihj (/ˈɪm.ɪdʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “image” in a sentence?
Here is “image” used in a sentence: “She hung a framed image of the mountains above her desk.”
What is another word for “image”?
Words with a similar meaning to “image” include picture and value.
What part of speech is “image”?
Depending on how it is used, “image” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “image” come from?
The word “image” comes from Latin. From Old French image, tracing back to Latin imago, meaning "a likeness or copy." Related to the word "imitate.".
Is “image” a common word?
“Image” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “image” have?
“Image” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a visual representation of something, such as a picture, photo, or drawing.
What is the difference between an image and a picture?
The words overlap heavily, but 'image' is the broader, more technical term for any visual representation — including digital files, reflections, and mental pictures. 'Picture' usually suggests a physical or printed image such as a photo or painting. Every picture is an image, though not every image is a picture.
Does 'image' only mean a picture?
No. Beyond photos and drawings, 'image' can mean a mental picture you form in your mind, a reflection in a mirror or lens, or a public reputation — a company's image. The shared thread is representation: something that stands for or depicts another thing.
What are common types of image?
Images come in many forms — photographs, drawings, paintings, diagrams, and digital graphics. In computing, images are often split into two kinds: raster images made of pixels, such as photos, and vector images built from lines and shapes that stay sharp at any size.
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