1 imaginarily | Definition of imaginarily
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imaginary

adjective
imag·​i·​nary | \ i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce imaginary (audio) , -ˌne-rē\

Definition of imaginary

1a : 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
Other Words from imaginary Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about imaginary

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Other Words from imaginary

imaginarily \ i-​ˌma-​jə-​ˈner-​ə-​lē How to pronounce imaginarily (audio) \ adverb
imaginariness \ i-​ˈma-​jə-​ˌner-​ē-​nəs How to pronounce imaginariness (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of imaginary in a Sentence

The two groups were separated by an imaginary line down the middle of the room. an imaginary world of dragons and unicorns

Recent Examples on the Web

 To be sure, the trade war with China is not based on an imaginary problem. — Frida Ghitis For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, "America-first trade policy is crushing the global economy," 1 Sep. 2019 Now a much less imaginary character is also surfacing: Mao Zedong, the Communist leader who established the People’s Republic of China 70 years ago. — Ilaria Maria Sala, Quartz, "Chairman Mao is making an appearance at the Hong Kong protests," 28 Aug. 2019 Each team gets a budget of imaginary dollars to use for the season. — Adam Ronis, SI.com, "Why Your Fantasy Football League Should Use Free Agent Acquisition Bidding," 20 Aug. 2019 Mr Johnson would not look out of place in any of these imaginary worlds. — The Economist, "Eurocrats know Boris Johnson well, making no-deal Brexit more likely," 15 Aug. 2019 Were you the kid who made up complex imaginary worlds for your siblings? — Vogue, "How to Give a Holiday Toast that Makes Up for a Dry Turkey," 22 Nov. 2018 Advances in photographic reproduction and cinematography especially at the turn of the 20th century eventually saw the gun used as an artistic device that connected the imaginary world of entertainment to that of the viewer in the real world. — Kim Sajet, Smithsonian, "How Portraiture Gave Rise to the Glamour of Guns," 23 Mar. 2018 In Minecraft, the imaginary worlds my son dreams up are expressed and realized in a virtual environment multiple people can occupy and affect together. — David Cole, The Cut, "Playing Video Games With My Son Isn’t What I Thought It Would Be," 7 Mar. 2018 Her works typically take place in imaginary worlds, but tackle human problems of race, gender, class, and government. — Lincoln Michel, GQ, "Ursula K. Le Guin Was Our Greatest Science Fiction Writer," 25 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imaginary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of imaginary

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for imaginary

Middle English ymaginarie, borrowed from Latin imāginārius "unreal, fictitious (in law)," from imāgin-, imāgō "representation, semblance, image entry 1" + -ārius -ary entry 2

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More Definitions for imaginary

imaginary

adjective
How to pronounce imaginary (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of imaginary

: not real : existing only in your mind or imagination

See the full definition for imaginary in the English Language Learners Dictionary

imaginary

adjective
imag·​i·​nary | \ i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce imaginary (audio) \

Kids Definition of imaginary

: existing only in the imagination : not real an imaginary world

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