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notion

[noh-shuhn] / ˈnoʊ ʃən /




Usage

What are other ways to say notion? The noun notion suggests a fleeting, vague, or imperfect thought: a bare notion of how to proceed. Thought, which reflects its primary emphasis on the mental process, may denote any concept except the more weighty and elaborate ones: I welcomed his thoughts on the subject. A thought came to him.  Idea, although it may refer to thoughts of any degree of seriousness or triviality, is commonly used for mental concepts considered more important or elaborate: We pondered the idea of the fourth dimension. The idea of his arrival frightened me. Conception suggests a thought that seems complete, individual, recent, or somewhat intricate: The architect's conception delighted them.

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.

See Examples For:

In the race to replace the notion of “TV movie” with streaming-only films that could, in another era, compete at the box office, “The Whisper Man” is as good as it gets.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 27, 2026

A person close to the Sussexes said the notion that they would set up a rival court was “utterly ridiculous.”

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 24, 2026

Dame Uta shudders when I mention the idea: "Agh! Such a vague notion."

From BBC Aug. 21, 2026

That’s a bigger factor Thursday than any notion of the market “rejecting” the increased U.S.

From MarketWatch Aug. 20, 2026

“By invoking the ‘treasure trove’ notion of common law,” said Jake.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Edmonds and Frahm ask: "What and who determined a king's 'canonicity'? How did this intersect with Assyrian cultural memory or notions of kingship? Was the AKL's function at all practical, or solely ceremonial?"

From Science Daily Aug. 26, 2026

I’m wondering if the justices are themselves creating these absurd notions or if appellate advocates are suggesting and steering the justices toward these contrived ways of thinking.

From Slate Aug. 16, 2026

“Punctuation troubles our notions of control and authority,” she warns, “of identity both individual and collective.”

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 14, 2026

She abandoned preconceived notions of beautiful grass-court tennis, opting instead to figure out how to get the best out of her extreme Western forehand grip and heavy topspin on grass.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 8, 2026

The Principles of Geology went through twelve editions in Lyell’s lifetime and contained notions that shaped geological thinking far into the twentieth century.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson




Vocabulary lists containing notion


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