WordGarden.ioimagine
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪmˈædʒɪn/
US
- /ˌɪˈmædʒən/
Meanings
Verb
to form a mental picture or idea of something
to suppose or believe that something is probably true
to mistakenly think, hear, or perceive something
Beyond the definition
To imagine is like having a movie playing inside your head, but you're the director. It is the act of creating pictures, feelings, and ideas that are not real or not present at the moment. You can imagine a warm beach on a cold winter day, imagine what it would be like to fly, or even imagine a world where cats rule and dogs fetch their slippers.
We often use "imagine" when talking about possibilities, as in "Can you imagine winning the lottery?", or when encouraging creativity. Storytellers rely on our ability to imagine the worlds they build with words. Sometimes, the word is used to express disbelief or shock: "I can't imagine doing that!"
The word "imagine" refers to the act of forming a mental image, idea, or feeling of something, especially something not currently real or present to you. It's more than just remembering; it's actively creating something in your mind. For example: "She closed her eyes and tried to imagine herself on a tropical island."
"Imagine" can also mean to suppose or assume something is true, even without immediate proof. Saying, "I imagine he's still upset about the argument," suggests you believe this to be the case based on your intuition or previous knowledge.
The power of imagination is central to creativity, problem-solving, and empathy. Artists imagine new forms, scientists imagine solutions, and writers imagine entire worlds. John Lennon famously asked us to "Imagine all the people living life in peace," using the word to inspire a vision for a better future.
Sometimes "imagine" is used sarcastically or to express disbelief: "Can you imagine being stuck in traffic for five hours?" In this case, it highlights how unpleasant or unlikely a scenario seems.
So, whether you're dreaming up fantastical scenarios, making assumptions about the future, or simply picturing a different reality, "imagine" is all about the incredible power of your mind to create and explore beyond what is immediately visible.
Examples
- 1
Hypothetical life
Can you imagine living in a city with no cars?
- 2
Unexpected result
I never imagined that the job would be so stressful.
- 3
Mental picture
She imagined herself on a beach somewhere warm.
- 4
Empathy
Try to imagine how he felt when he heard the news.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Local landmark
It's hard to imagine the town without the old bridge.
- 6
Doubt
I can't imagine him saying something like that.
- 7
Possible problem
Imagine if we missed the last train home.
- PatternImagine if + situation
think about what would happen in that situation
- 8
Surprised reaction
"They want us there by six." "Imagine that."
- PhraseImagine that.
a surprised reaction, sometimes slightly ironic
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- imagineverb
Forms
- imaginedpast tenseverb
- imagining-ing formverb
- imaginesverb