notion

noun

no·​tion ˈnō-shən 

1

a(1)

: an individual's conception or impression of something known, experienced, or imagined

They had different notions of right and wrong.

(2)

: an inclusive general concept

… arriving at the notion of law …

—Irving Babbitt

(3)

: a theory or belief held by a person or group

the notion of original sin

b

: a personal inclination : whim

He had a notion to try skydiving.

2

obsolete : mind, intellect

3

notions plural : small useful items : sundries

found the thread she wanted among the shop's notions

Synonyms of notion

• novelties

Choose the Right Synonym for notion

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan).

idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas

my idea of paradise

concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of notion in a Sentence

He has some pretty strange notions.

She had a vague notion about what happened.

The study disproves any notion that dolphins are not intelligent.

She had a notion to try skydiving.

a sewing shop that sells fabrics, books, tools, and notions

Recent Examples on the Web

The show's inherent sorrow is alleviated by Donahoe's sense of hope, humor, and the notion that being alive is beautiful. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025

The Kremlin has insisted that its primary goal is a full military takeover of Donetsk -- whether achieved on the battlefield or at the negotiating table -- and has dismissed any notion of returning the nuclear plant to Ukrainian control. —Arkansas Online, 25 Dec. 2025

The 30-second spot shows Hughes, Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger, Colorado defenseman Cale Makar and Boston forward Charlie McAvoy in a classroom setting, asking questions and scoffing at the notion that AI can compare to NHL hockey. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 25 Dec. 2025

So, too, is the notion that our schools are racked by culture wars. —Jonathan Zimmerman, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin notion-, notio, from noscere

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(2)

Phrases Containing notion

• not have the faintest idea/notion

Rhymes for notion

• lotion
• ocean
• potion
• commotion
• demotion
• devotion
• emotion
• laotian
• promotion
• locomotion

Kids Definition

notion

noun

no·​tion ˈnō-shən 

1

a

: idea sense 2, conception

have a notion of a poem's meaning

b

: a belief held : opinion

c

: a sudden wish or desire : whim

just had a notion to go home

2

plural : small useful articles (as pins, needles, or thread)