Dictionary
imaginary
adjective imag·i·nary \i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē, -ˌne-rē\
: not real : existing only in your mind or imagination
Full Definition of IMAGINARY
1
a : existing only in imagination : lacking factual reality b : formed or characterized imaginatively or arbitrarily <his canvases, chiefly imaginary, somber landscapes — Current Biography>
2
: containing or relating to the imaginary unit <imaginary roots>
— imag·i·nari·ly \i-ˌma-jə-ˈner-ə-lē\ adverb
— imag·i·nari·ness \-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē-nəs\ noun
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First Known Use of IMAGINARY
14th century
Related to IMAGINARY
- Synonyms
- chimerical (also chimeric), fabulous, fanciful, fantasied, fantastic (also fantastical), fictional, fictitious, ideal, imaginal, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, mythical (or mythic), notional, phantasmal, phantasmic, phantom, pretend, unreal, visonary
Synonym Discussion of IMAGINARY
imaginary, fanciful, visionary, fantastic, chimerical, quixotic mean unreal or unbelievable. imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination <an imaginary desert isle>. fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination <a teller of fanciful stories>. visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization <visionary schemes>. fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief <a fantastic world inhabited by monsters>. chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic <chimerical dreams of future progress>. quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense <a quixotic crusade>.
Rhymes with IMAGINARY
apothecary, bicentenary, confectionary, confectionery, consigliere, constabulary, contemporary, deflationary, disciplinary, discretionary, diversionary, epistolary, exclusionary, expansionary, extemporary, extraordinary, fiduciary, hereditary, illusionary, incendiary, inflationary, insanitary, intercalary, involuntary, itinerary, judiciary, lending library, marionberry, obituary, olallieberry, on the contrary, pecuniary, pituitary, precautionary, preliminary, presidiary, probationary, proprietary, provisionary, reactionary, subliterary, subsidiary, tercentenary, unnecessary, veterinary, vocabulary, voluptuary
IMAGINARY Defined for Kids
imaginary
adjective imag·i·nary \i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē\
Definition of IMAGINARY for Kids
: existing only in the imagination : not real <an imaginary world>
Medical Dictionary
imaginary
adjective imag·i·nary \im-ˈaj-ə-ˌner-ē\
Medical Definition of IMAGINARY
: existing only in imagination : lacking factual reality <imaginary fears> <an imaginary illness>
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