notions
B2Neutral to informal for the 'haberdashery' meaning; formal or academic for the 'ideas' meaning.
Definition
Meaning
Small, inexpensive items, especially for sewing (e.g., thread, buttons, pins); or more abstractly, ideas, beliefs, or understandings.
In a commercial context (especially US), a department or category of small haberdashery items. Figuratively, it refers to vague or general ideas, often not fully developed or detailed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is polysemous. The 'sewing items' meaning is dominant in US retail contexts. The 'ideas' meaning is more abstract and common in both dialects, often used to imply the ideas are simplistic, vague, or unexamined (e.g., 'his notions about economics').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'small sewing items' meaning is far more common and established in American English. In the UK, 'haberdashery' is the standard term, and 'notions' is less common and understood.
Connotations
In AmE, 'notions' has a concrete, domestic, and commercial connotation. In both dialects, the abstract meaning can carry a slight connotation of naivety or lack of sophistication.
Frequency
In AmE, both meanings are in use, with the concrete meaning being very common. In BrE, the abstract meaning is primary, and the concrete meaning is rare and likely perceived as an Americanism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have notions about/of [something]challenge/reject/abandon notions of [something]sell/buy notionsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not have the first notion (BrE: to have no idea)”
- “full of strange notions”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In AmE: 'Profits in the notions aisle have increased.'
Academic
The study challenges traditional notions of identity.
Everyday
I need to pick up some thread and other notions for my dress. (AmE) / He has some odd notions about health. (Both)
Technical
Used in philosophy and sociology to discuss abstract concepts or 'folk notions'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No standard verb form.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjective form.
American English
- No standard adjective form.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She bought buttons and thread from the notions shelf.
- I have a notion that it might rain.
- The shop sells fabrics and sewing notions.
- His notions about the project were not very clear.
- We need to update our notions of success in the modern workplace.
- The American craft store has a large notions department.
- The philosopher deconstructed the fundamental notions of justice and liberty.
- Her romantic notions of rural life were quickly dispelled by the hard reality of farming.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'NOTION' is a small 'NOT-ion' – either a small thought (idea) or a small, unimportant thing (sewing item).
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS (to have notions, to discard notions); VAGUE IDEAS ARE CLOUDS (hazy notions).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'notions' (sewing) as 'понятия'. Use 'мелочи для шитья' or 'фурнитура'.
- For 'abstract notions', 'представления' or 'идеи' is better than the more formal 'понятия' in many contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'notions' to mean 'notices' or 'notations'.
- Using the singular 'notion' as a countable noun for sewing items (incorrect: 'a thread notion'; correct: 'a notion' or 'a sewing notion' is possible but less common than the plural).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'notions' MOST likely to refer to physical objects?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the meaning. For abstract ideas, it is neutral and can be used in formal writing. For sewing items, it is an everyday commercial term, primarily in American English.
'Notion' often suggests an idea that is vague, half-formed, or based on instinct rather than knowledge. 'Idea' is broader and more neutral. You might 'get an idea' from research but 'take a notion' to do something on a whim.
Many would not, or would find it unusual. They would use 'haberdashery', 'sewing supplies', or 'bits and bobs'. The term is recognised as an Americanism.
Yes, 'notion' is the singular form for the abstract meaning (e.g., 'a strange notion'). For the concrete meaning, it is almost always used in the plural ('sewing notions'), though the singular 'a sewing notion' is grammatically possible.
Explore