imagine

[ ih-maj-in ]

verb (used with object)

, im·ag·ined, im·ag·in·ing.

1. to form a mental image of (something not actually present to the senses).

   Synonyms: picture, image

2. to think, believe, or fancy:

   He imagined the house was haunted.

3. to assume; suppose:

   I imagine they'll be here soon.

4. to conjecture; guess:

   I cannot imagine what you mean.

5. Archaic. to plan, scheme, or plot.

verb (used without object)

, im·ag·ined, im·ag·in·ing.

1. to form mental images of things not present to the senses; use the imagination.
2. to suppose; think; conjecture.

imagine

/ ɪˈmædʒɪn /

verb

1. when tr, may take a clause as object to form a mental image of
2. when tr, may take a clause as object to think, believe, or guess
3. tr; takes a clause as object to suppose; assume

   I imagine he'll come

4. tr; takes a clause as object to believe or assume without foundation

   he imagines he knows the whole story

5. an archaic word for plot 1

sentence substitute

1. Alsoimagine that! an exclamation of surprise

Derived Forms

• imˈaginable, adjective
• imˈaginer, noun
• imˈaginably, adverb

Other Words From

• i·magin·er noun
• preim·agine verb (used with object) preimagined preimagining
• rei·magine verb (used with object) reimagined reimagining
• unim·agined adjective
• well-i·magined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of imagine¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English imaginen from Middle French imaginer from Latin imāginārī, equivalent to imāgin- (stem of imāgō ) image + -ā- thematic vowel + -rī infinitive ending

Word History and Origins

Origin of imagine¹

C14: from Latin imāginārī to fancy, picture mentally, from imāgō likeness; see image

Synonym Study

Imagine, conceive, conceive of, realize refer to bringing something before the mind. To imagine is, literally, to form a mental image of something: to imagine yourself in London. To conceive is to form something by using one's imagination: How has the author conceived the first act of his play? To conceive of is to comprehend through the intellect something not perceived through the senses: Wilson conceived of a world free from war. To realize is to make an imagined thing real or concrete to oneself, to grasp fully its implications: to realize the extent of one's folly.

Example Sentences

We can all imagine a leader who appeals to identity issues like religion and immigration while pursuing a program of genuine economic reform.

From Salon

He wants us to imagine straight male American soldiers are "honorable, powerful and deadly," but also portrays them as too feeble to handle the diverse modern military.

From Salon

"Ultimately, members of my own unit in leadership deemed that I was an extremist or a white nationalist because of a tattoo I have, which is a religious tattoo. It's a Jerusalem cross," Hegseth claimed, feigning ignorance of the fact that cross has indeed been embraced by far-right activists who imagine themselves fighting a modern-day Crusade.

From Salon

“At the same time, we have some of the strongest counter forces that one could imagine.”

From Salon

The Highlands and Islands representative said she could not imagine "being a good MSP" while spending "half" her time in London.

From BBC