imagine

verb

imag·​ine i-ˈma-jən How to pronounce imagine (audio)
imagined; imagining i-ˈma-jə-niŋ How to pronounce imagine (audio)
-ˈmaj-nə-
Synonyms of imagine

transitive verb

1
: to form a mental image of (something not present)
imagine accidents at every turn
—often used with that, what, etc.
Imagine that you're on a beach.
Just imagine what we could do!
Can you imagine how I felt?
I can't imagine why you're going.
There's no ghost. You're just imagining things.
2
: suppose, guess
I imagine it will rain.
3
: to form a notion of without sufficient basis : fancy
imagines himself to be a charming conversationalist
4
archaic : plan, scheme

intransitive verb

1
: to use the imagination
2
: believe sense 3
worse than they imagined
Things will be better next year, I imagine.

Synonyms of imagine

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Choose the Right Synonym for imagine

think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of.

think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation
envisioned a cure for the disease

Examples of imagine in a Sentence

a writer who has imagined an entire world of amazing creatures He asked us to imagine a world without poverty or war. It's hard for me to imagine having children. He was imagining all sorts of terrible things happening. “What was that sound? I think there's someone in the house!” “Oh, you're just imagining things.” I imagine it will snow at some point today. It's difficult to imagine that these changes will really be effective. The company will do better next year, I imagine. It was worse than they had imagined.
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.
So imagine if this year, the A list arrived on the first Monday in May in sartorial tribute to Dolly Parton. — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026 The film imagines a colorful, family-friendly realm concealed just under the surface of video games themselves, populated by a covert guild of guardians tasked with keeping each title operating and preserving every player’s journey. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 The yacht is imagined with four 1,000 hp Volvo Penta engines that could enable a cruising speed of 27 knots and a top speed of 32 knots, according to the studio. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026 To understand what a transitive graph is, imagine the graph as a network of roads on a flat, desolate landscape. — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imagine

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymagynen, borrowed from Anglo-French ymaginer, borrowed from Latin imāginārī, verbal derivative of imāgin-, imāgō "representation, semblance, image entry 1"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Phrases Containing imagine

Browse Nearby Words

imaginator
imagine
imaginer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imagine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagine. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

imagine

verb
imag·​ine im-ˈaj-ən How to pronounce imagine (audio)
imagined; imagining -ˈaj-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce imagine (audio)
1
: to form a mental picture of : use the imagination
2
: think sense 2, suppose
I imagine it will snow

Medical Definition

imagine

verb
imag·​ine im-ˈaj-ən How to pronounce imagine (audio)
imagined; imagining -ˈaj-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce imagine (audio)

transitive verb

: to form a mental image of (something not present)

intransitive verb

: to use the imagination

More from Merriam-Webster on imagine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imagine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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