First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
imagine
verb imag·ine \i-ˈma-jən\
: to think of or create (something that is not real) in your mind
: to form a picture or idea in your mind of (something that is not real or present)
: to have or form (an idea or opinion that is not accurate or based on reality)
imag·inedimag·in·ing \-ˈmaj-niŋ, -ˈma-jə-\
Full Definition of IMAGINE
transitive verb
1
: to form a mental image of (something not present) <imagine accidents at every turn>
4
: to form a notion of without sufficient basis : fancy <imagines himself to be a charming conversationalist>
intransitive verb
1
: to use the imagination
2
: believe 3
See imagine defined for English-language learners
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Origin of IMAGINE
Middle English, from Anglo-French imaginer, from Latin imaginari, from imagin-, imago image
Related to IMAGINE
Synonym Discussion of IMAGINE
think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of. think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection <I just thought of a good joke>. conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design <conceived of a new marketing approach>. imagine stresses a visualization <imagine you're at the beach>. fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires <fancied himself a super athlete>. realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined <realized the enormity of the task ahead>. envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed <envisaged a totally computerized operation> <envisioned a cure for the disease>.
think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference. think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions <teaches students how to think>. cogitate implies deep or intent thinking <cogitated on the mysteries of nature>. reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind <reflecting on fifty years of married life>. reason stresses consecutive logical thinking <able to reason brilliantly in debate>. speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic <speculated on the fate of the lost explorers>. deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision <the jury deliberated for five hours>.
think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference. think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions <teaches students how to think>. cogitate implies deep or intent thinking <cogitated on the mysteries of nature>. reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind <reflecting on fifty years of married life>. reason stresses consecutive logical thinking <able to reason brilliantly in debate>. speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic <speculated on the fate of the lost explorers>. deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision <the jury deliberated for five hours>.
IMAGINED Defined for Kids
imagine
verb imag·ine \i-ˈma-jən\
imag·inedimag·in·ing
Definition of IMAGINE for Kids
1
: to form a mental picture of : use the imagination <Imagine yourself grown up.>
2
: think 1 <I imagine you're right.>
Medical Dictionary
imagine
verb imag·ine \im-ˈaj-ən\
imag·inedimag·in·ing \-ˈaj-(ə-)niŋ\
Medical Definition of IMAGINE
transitive verb
: to form a mental image of (something not present)
intransitive verb
: to use the imagination
Learn More About IMAGINE
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