imaginary
B2Formal, neutral, literary
Definition
Meaning
Existing only in the mind; not real or actual.
Used to describe things that are created or conjured by imagination, often with connotations of being fanciful, illusory, or psychologically constructed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often describes entities (friends, creatures, worlds) or abstract concepts (threats, fears, boundaries). Can imply a lack of substance or practical consequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Usage frequencies similar.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Slightly more common in literary/psychological contexts.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Adj] + [Noun]purely/entirely/wholly + imaginaryVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An imaginary line in the sand”
- “Fight imaginary dragons”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might describe 'imaginary risks' hindering decision-making.
Academic
Common in mathematics ('imaginary numbers'), literature, psychology, and philosophy.
Everyday
Describing children's play, fears, or hypothetical situations.
Technical
Primarily in mathematics (complex numbers) and psychology (e.g., 'imaginary audience' in adolescent development).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The child had an elaborate imaginary friend named Pippin.
- She was paralysed by an imaginary fear of failure.
- The treaty drew an imaginary line across the continent.
American English
- His childhood was spent in a rich imaginary world.
- The politician warned against imaginary threats to national security.
- In math class, they introduced the concept of an imaginary number, i.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many children have an imaginary friend.
- Dragons are imaginary animals.
- The story is set in an imaginary country.
- Her worries were mostly imaginary, not based on real facts.
- The novel explores the blurred line between real and imaginary experiences.
- He was accused of creating an imaginary crisis to gain political advantage.
- The philosopher argued that all social hierarchies are, to some extent, imaginary constructs.
- The patient's symptoms were profound but had no organic cause, leading to a diagnosis of an imaginary illness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'IMAGINE' + 'ARY' – something that is 'of or pertaining to imagination'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A CREATOR (The mind creates imaginary landscapes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'воображаемый' (which is correct) and 'мнимый' (which can mean 'pretend' or 'seeming' but often with a negative, deceptive connotation). 'Imaginary' is neutral; 'мнимый' can imply falseness.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'imaginative' (creative) instead of 'imaginary' (not real). Incorrect: *'She is an imaginary writer.' Correct: 'She is an imaginative writer.'
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'imaginary number' a standard technical concept?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Imaginary' means 'not real, existing only in the mind.' 'Imaginative' describes someone or something that shows creativity and the ability to form new ideas.
Yes, commonly in the phrase 'imaginary friend.' It can also describe an 'imaginary audience' (a psychological concept) or an 'imaginary foe.'
Not inherently. It is neutral, describing a state of non-reality. Context gives it positive (creative play), neutral (mathematics), or negative (delusional fears) connotations.
A 'real number.' In mathematics, the set of complex numbers contains both real and imaginary numbers.
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