imaginary
Imaginary (adj) means not real; existing only in the mind or imagination. Example: “As a child, she had an imaginary friend named Bibbles.”
How to use imaginary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot real, or made up — or, in math, a number involving the square root of a negative number.
Don't confuse with "imaginative," which describes creative thinking rather than something unreal.
Word forms
more imaginary comparative, imaginaries plural, most imaginary superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a child, she had an _____ friend named Bibbles.
Etymology
From Latin imaginarius, "relating to images or fancies." The mathematical sense was coined by René Descartes in 1637, who used it dismissively for numbers he thought couldn't really exist — the name stuck even after mathematicians accepted the concept.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for imaginary
See all rhymes for imaginary →Frequently asked questions
What does “imaginary” mean?
The word “imaginary” means not real; existing only in the mind or imagination. In plain terms, not real, or made up — or, in math, a number involving the square root of a negative number.
How do you pronounce “imaginary”?
“Imaginary” is pronounced ih-MAD-zhih-nuh-ree (/ɪˈmæd͡ʒɪˌn(ɛ)ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “imaginary” in a sentence?
Here is “imaginary” used in a sentence: “As a child, she had an imaginary friend named Bibbles.”
What part of speech is “imaginary”?
“Imaginary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “imaginary” come from?
The word “imaginary” dates back to around 1637 and comes from Latin.
Is “imaginary” a common word?
“Imaginary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “imaginary” have?
“Imaginary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not real; existing only in the mind or imagination.
What is the difference between imaginary and fictional?
Imaginary describes something that exists only in the mind and has no basis in reality at all, such as a child's imaginary friend. Fictional describes something invented for a story or narrative, which may still be presented as if it could plausibly exist within that story's world.
What does imaginary mean in mathematics?
In mathematics, an imaginary number is a number that is a multiple of the square root of negative one, since no real number squared can produce a negative result. This concept is used to extend the number system for solving certain equations.
What is the opposite of imaginary?
The opposite of imaginary is real, meaning something that genuinely exists rather than existing only in thought or fantasy. In mathematics specifically, imaginary numbers are contrasted with real numbers.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include imaginary: