imaginary

1 of 2

adjective

imag·​i·​nary i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē 

-ˌne-rē

1

a

: existing only in imagination : lacking factual reality

an imaginary friend

b

: formed or characterized imaginatively or arbitrarily

His canvases, chiefly imaginary, somber landscapes …

—Current Biography

2

: containing or relating to the imaginary unit

imaginary roots

imaginarily

i-ˌma-jə-ˈner-ə-lē 

adverb

imaginariness

i-ˈma-jə-ˌner-ē-nəs 

noun

imaginariness

2 of 2

noun

imag·​i·​nar·​i·​ness

-rin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being imaginary

Synonyms of imaginary

Adjective

• fictitious
• fictional
• mythical
• imagined
• fantasied
• imaginal

Choose the Right Synonym for imaginary

imaginary, fanciful, visionary, fantastic, chimerical, quixotic mean unreal or unbelievable.

imaginary applies to something which is fictitious and purely the product of one's imagination.

an imaginary desert isle

fanciful suggests the free play of the imagination.

a teller of fanciful stories

visionary stresses impracticality or incapability of realization.

visionary schemes

fantastic implies incredibility or strangeness beyond belief.

a fantastic world inhabited by monsters

chimerical combines the implication of visionary and fantastic.

chimerical dreams of future progress

quixotic implies a devotion to romantic or chivalrous ideals unrestrained by ordinary prudence and common sense.

a quixotic crusade

Examples of imaginary in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Where teams already afforded every advantage are now given the gift of imaginary time. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

At the very least, regionalism marked a spatial recalibration in the literary imaginary, away from European metropoles and national capitals and toward rural hinterlands. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026

The equinox occurs when the sun’s center passes through the imaginary line from the north to the south. — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026

Seeking refuge from constant bombardment, Anna discovers Bianca, her imaginary double, living in a fantastical town imprisoned by a war of its own. — Alexandra Patterson, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English ymaginarie, borrowed from Latin imāginārius "unreal, fictitious (in law)," from imāgin-, imāgō "representation, semblance, image entry 1" + -ārius -ary entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing imaginary

• imaginary number
• imaginary part
• imaginary unit
• pure imaginary

Rhymes for imaginary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

Kids 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