imaginary

[ih-maj-uh-ner-ee] / ɪˈmædʒ əˌnɛr i /

ADJECTIVE

fictitious, invented

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abstract fanciful fantastic fictional hypothetical imagined theoretical unreal whimsical

STRONG

ideal visionary

WEAK

apocryphal apparitional assumed chimerical deceptive delusive dreamed-up dreamlike dreamy fabulous fancied figmental fool's paradise hallucinatory illusive illusory imaginative legendary made-up mythological nonexistent notional phantasmal phantasmic quixotic shadowy spectral supposed supposititious trumped-up unsubstantial

Antonyms

STRONGEST

factual ordinary proven real

STRONG

practical

WEAK

existing genuine physical substantial true

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Soon after, he transformed his childhood treehouse into his own imaginary rocket ship.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Joseph weaves together an imaginary “Transatlantic Biennial” and W.E.B.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

"I tell my children imaginary stories. I try to make the stories motivating and uplifting," she said, such as tales of a new home with separate rooms and beds.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

Our time-traveling expedition is imaginary, but the numbers are real.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Cat thought of the rainbow of colored pencils, the drawings of ships with their detail and power, the maps of imaginary places.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Vocabulary lists containing imaginary

List 1

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Common Core Grade 6, List 4

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Common Core Grade 5, List 4

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