imaginary

i-mag-i-nar-y · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Existing only in the imagination; not real or actual.

  2. 2.

    (Mathematics) Relating to or denoting a number that is expressed in terms of the square root of a negative number (usually the square root of -1, represented by i).

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    imaginary friend — a made-up companion, especially created by a child
  • •
    imaginary number — a number involving the square root of -1
  • •
    imaginary line — a hypothetical boundary or division

Related words

Antonyms: actual, genuine, real
See also: fictional, imagination, imagine
Synonyms: fictional, made-up, unreal

Etymology

From Latin imaginarius ("existing in imagination"), from imago ("image, likeness"). Entered English in the late Middle English period through Old French.