imaginary Meaning & Definition
What Does Imaginary Mean?
As an adjective, imaginary means Existing only in the imagination. It can also mean Relating or belonging to the imagination. As a noun, it means Imagination; fancy. As a noun, it means An imaginary quantity.
Word Facts for Imaginary
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ɪˈmæd͡ʒɪnəɹi// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | fanciful, unreal and notional |
| Plural | imaginaries |
| Comparative / superlative | more imaginary, most imaginary |
Imaginary Definition (Adjective)
- Existing only in the imagination.
imaginary friend
- Relating or belonging to the imagination.
- Having no real part; that part of a complex number which is a multiple of −1 (called imaginary unit).
- To an extreme or incredible degree; fantastic.
Imaginary as a Noun
- Imagination; fancy.
- An imaginary number.
- The set of values, institutions, laws, and symbols common to a particular social group and the corresponding society through which people imagine their social whole.
Noun
- An imaginary quantity.
Adjective
- (of a number) Having no real part; that part of a complex number which is a multiple of the square root of -1.
Synonyms of Imaginary
Imaginary synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Imaginary
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Imaginary in a Sentence
imaginary friend
Unicorns are imaginary.
Santa Claus is imaginary.
Word Forms & Grammar
imaginary (comparative more imaginary, superlative most imaginary)
imaginary (plural imaginaries)
Words That Rhyme With Imaginary
Origin of Imaginary
Origin 1: From Middle English ymaginarie, ymagynary, from Latin imāginārius (“relating to images, fancied”), from imāgō, equivalent to imagine + -ary.
Origin 2: The mathematical sense derives from René Descartes's use (of the French imaginaire) in 1637, La Geometrie, to ridicule the notion of regarding non-real roots of polynomials as numbers.[1] Although Descartes' usage was derogatory, the designation stuck even after the concept gained acceptance in the 18th century.
Imaginary Pronunciation
Imaginary is pronounced //ɪˈmæd͡ʒɪnəɹi// and has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Imaginary
Is imaginary an adjective or a noun?
Imaginary is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for imaginary?
Words with a similar meaning to imaginary include fanciful, unreal and notional. See the full list of imaginary synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of imaginary?
The plural of imaginary is imaginaries.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of imaginary?
The comparative form is more imaginary and the superlative form is most imaginary.