notion
Americannoun
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a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something.
a notion of how something should be done.
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an opinion, view, or belief.
That's his notion, not mine.
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conception or idea.
his notion of democracy.
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a fanciful or foolish idea; whim.
She had a notion to swim in the winter.
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an ingenious article, device, or contrivance; knickknack.
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notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, especially such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store.
noun
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a vague idea; impression
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an idea, concept, or opinion
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an inclination or whim
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing notion
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In his nine-year-old mind, the notion of competing in the Commonwealth Games for Scotland began to form.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
But Mendelsohn, who had no program for the building, nor any notion of the scientific instruments it would contain, began the process backward.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
A notion that blossomed from an idealistic vision was Martinized into a cult-like excursion for the privileged.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026
So the notion of good or bad doesn’t really exist in that world anymore.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
The notion of white supremacy rationalized the enslavement of Africans, even as whites endeavored to form a new nation based on the ideals of equality, liberty, and justice for all.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
I think that many baby boomers have remained more active than our parents in general and that is a major difference and reason why we might be challenging some preconceived notions on aging.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Helen adds that despite "archaic notions" still being attached to endometriosis, a greater awareness is a positive to both diagnosed and undiagnosed people.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 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
When epidemiologist Antoine Flahault addressed a French governmental health conference alongside other health experts on Tuesday, he urged scientists, journalists and the general public to "be wary of preconceived notions".
From Barron's ● May 13, 2026
That each living thing was specially designed, that one species did not become another, were notions perfectly consistent with what our ancestors with their limited historical records knew about life.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
