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.

---

notion British  

/ ˈnəʊʃən /

noun

1. a vague idea; impression

2. an idea, concept, or opinion

3. 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

• 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

Of course, the whole notion that you would return a $40,000 gift after your father’s death is ludicrous.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

“The notion of going around and reticking when prices change is just very difficult operationally for them,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2026

Although amused by the notion, Sanders made it clear that reporters aren’t going to get a dime from him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

Mike says he got a "notion for pumpkins" about two years ago, deciding to take a chance and experiment with a handful of seeds he bought from Amazon.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

It is important here to distinguish between teleological history—the notion that history has a purpose or goal—and retrospective history, which seeks to study history as a process of development.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

At the heart of the debate around legal migration are contested notions of fairness.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Where the movies are big, loud, overpopulated machines, the TV series are full of interesting ideas, weird notions and good comedy and give their characters room to breathe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

It was only four decades later that his notions of heritability were recognized as breakthroughs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

They beautifully elucidate Herzog’s complex notions of loneliness, reminding us that the heart’s desire to cling to something familiar and safe can also be its undoing.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

We had been an idiosyncratic, leaderless band in the summer, undirected except by the eccentric notions of Phineas.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---