notion

American  

[noh-shuhn] / ˈnoʊ ʃən /

noun

• notions
  plural

1. a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something.

   a notion of how something should be done.

2. an opinion, view, or belief.

   That's his notion, not mine.

3. conception or idea.

   his notion of democracy.

4. a fanciful or foolish idea; whim.

   She had a notion to swim in the winter.

5. an ingenious article, device, or contrivance; knickknack.

6. notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, especially such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store.

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notion British  

/ ˈnəʊʃən /

noun

1. a vague idea; impression

2. an idea, concept, or opinion

3. an inclination or whim

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Usage

What are other ways to say notion? A notion is a vague or imperfect idea or a general understanding of something. How is it different from thought, conception, and idea? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• notionless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• notions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of notion

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin nōtiōn- (stem of nōtiō ) “examination, idea,” equivalent to (g)nōt(us), past participle of (g)nōscere “to come to know” + -iōn- suffix forming nouns; see notify, -ion

Explanation

If you have a notion that you can swim across the ocean, you are probably wrong. A notion is an idea, often vague and sometimes fanciful. A notion is lighter than a theory and embraces a whimsy that a simple idea never could. You might have the notion that you can slow global warming by taking public transportation and reusing plastic bags. If you share a far-fetched idea with others, someone might respond with a "Where'd you get that notion?!" Notions can also refer to the buttons, thread, zippers, and pins necessary for sewing things. So if you have a notion to create your own Halloween costume, you better pick up some notions from the craft store.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

notion notions

In the race to replace the notion of “TV movie” with streaming-only films that could, in another era, compete at the box office, “The Whisper Man” is as good as it gets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

A person close to the Sussexes said the notion that they would set up a rival court was “utterly ridiculous.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

Dame Uta shudders when I mention the idea: "Agh! Such a vague notion."

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

The notion that this enhanced surveillance increases safety doesn’t actually hold up, though.

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

But Darwin, in all truth, had misconceived the notion, and pangene would always carry the memory of that misconception.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Edmonds and Frahm ask: "What and who determined a king's 'canonicity'? How did this intersect with Assyrian cultural memory or notions of kingship? Was the AKL's function at all practical, or solely ceremonial?"

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

I’m wondering if the justices are themselves creating these absurd notions or if appellate advocates are suggesting and steering the justices toward these contrived ways of thinking.

From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2026

But on the page, she was bold, challenging preconceived notions of Appalachia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

She abandoned preconceived notions of beautiful grass-court tennis, opting instead to figure out how to get the best out of her extreme Western forehand grip and heavy topspin on grass.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

I think we are all about to reinvent our notions of hell.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

• approach
• assumption
• concept
• conception
• image
• impression
• knowledge
• opinion
• perception
• sentiment
• suggestion
• thought
• understanding
• view