imaginary
adjective
imag·i·nary
i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē 
-ˌne-rē
1
a
: existing only in imagination : lacking factual reality
b
: formed or characterized imaginatively or arbitrarily
his canvases, chiefly imaginary, somber landscapes—
Current Biography
Current Biography2
: containing or relating to the imaginary unit
imaginary roots
Examples of imaginary in a Sentence
The two groups were separated by an imaginary line down the middle of the room.
an imaginary world of dragons and unicorns
Recent Examples on the Web
People had been riled up, seeing only false pictures and imaginary ideas conjured by those motivated solely by self-interest.
—David Swanson, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
My hope is that our community can recapture that vision, a vision that does not succumb to imaginary renderings, but looks to what actually exists — real people who need relief from their hurt and suffering.
—David Swanson, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
After the war, that technology, developed by a painfully pretentious guru named Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), was sold to the public as a way of keeping them sedated and immersed in imaginary worlds.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Do the kids in your life have imaginary friends?
—Anna North, Vox, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imaginary
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David Swanson, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
My hope is that our community can recapture that vision, a vision that does not succumb to imaginary renderings, but looks to what actually exists — real people who need relief from their hurt and suffering.
—David Swanson, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2025
After the war, that technology, developed by a painfully pretentious guru named Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), was sold to the public as a way of keeping them sedated and immersed in imaginary worlds.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Do the kids in your life have imaginary friends?
—Anna North, Vox, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imaginary
Cite this Entry
“Imaginary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imaginary. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imaginary
adjective
imag·i·nary
im-ˈaj-ə-ˌner-ē
: existing only in imagination : not real
unicorns are imaginary
Medical Definition
imaginary
adjective
imag·i·nary
im-ˈaj-ə-ˌner-ē
: existing only in imagination : lacking factual reality
imaginary fears
an imaginary illness
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