imagination

noun

imag·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌma-jə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce imagination (audio)
Synonyms of imaginationnext
1
: the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality
2
a
: creative ability
b
: ability to confront and deal with a problem : resourcefulness
use your imagination and get us out of here
c
: the thinking or active mind : interest
stories that fired the imagination
3
a
: a creation of the mind
especially : an idealized or poetic creation
b
: fanciful or empty assumption

Synonyms

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Examples of imagination in a Sentence

You can find a solution if you use a little imagination. The author does not tell us what happens to the characters. We have to use our imagination. He's a competent writer, but he lacks imagination. Is it just my imagination, or is it getting warm in here?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, your imagination and feelings of sympathy are heightened, which makes this an excellent day for working in the arts or in counseling fields. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025 Mercury in Pisces is a completely different vibe — one that pulls us away from the hard facts and into the realms of intuition, imagination and spirituality. — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025 While the solutions may be academic in some cases, others—such as networking with like-minded professionals seeking to accelerate their careers—may be the key to unlocking that spark of imagination to proactively create a roadmap for their next steps. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Garland has long been fascinated by failures of the human imagination, and the sole purpose of this 93-minute immersion test is to bring the unvarnished truth of what those SEALs experienced in Ramadi closer to home. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for imagination

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymaginacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ymaginacion, borrowed from Latin imāginātiōn-, imāginātiō, from imāginārī "to imagine" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imagination was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing imagination

Rhymes for imagination

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Browse Nearby Words

imaginary unit
imagination
imaginational
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Cite this Entry

“Imagination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagination. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

imagination

noun
imag·​i·​na·​tion im-ˌaj-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce imagination (audio)
1
: the act or power of forming a mental picture of something not present and especially of something one has not known or experienced
2
: creative ability
3
: a creation of the mind

Medical Definition

imagination

noun
imag·​i·​na·​tion im-ˌaj-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce imagination (audio)
: an act or process of forming a conscious idea or mental image of something never before wholly perceived in reality by the one forming the images (as through a synthesis of remembered elements of previous sensory experiences or ideas as modified by unconscious defense mechanisms)
also : the ability or gift of forming such conscious ideas or mental images especially for the purposes of artistic or intellectual creation

More from Merriam-Webster on imagination

Nglish: Translation of imagination for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imagination

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