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adj B1 Intermediate Common

imaginary

ih-MAD-zhih-nuh-ree
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Imaginary (adj) means not real; existing only in the mind or imagination. Example: “As a child, she had an imaginary friend named Bibbles.”

adj
1
Not real; existing only in the mind or imagination.
"As a child, she had an imaginary friend named Bibbles."
"The map showed an imaginary line dividing the two territories."
"The monsters under his bed were imaginary, but he still felt afraid."
2
In mathematics, describing a number that is a multiple of the square root of -1.
"The equation had two imaginary roots."
"In maths class we learned that the square root of minus four is an imaginary number."
"An imaginary number is shown on a separate axis in a complex plane."

How to use imaginary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot real, or made up — or, in math, a number involving the square root of a negative number.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "imaginative," which describes creative thinking rather than something unreal.

Easily confused with
imaginative →
Common pairings
imaginary friend imaginary number imaginary line
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Word forms

Plural
imaginaries
Comparative
more imaginary
Superlative
most imaginary
Test yourself on “imaginary” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

Origin: Latin · First attested 1637

Class of 1637 imaginary joined the language around 1637.
See the full Class of 1637 →

Synonyms

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fictitious unreal fanciful illusory invented notional

Antonyms

veridical real

Related words

most real original natural material supposed actual fantastic

Rhymes for imaginary

vary Mary nary wary diary ovary apiary canary salary binary ossuary January
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.

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