Imagining Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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imagining

[ɪˈmadʒɪnɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

mental activity

Form a mental image or concept of something; suppose or assume.

Synonyms

conceive, envision, picture, think up, visualize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
imagining	Used when someone is forming a mental image or idea of something. She is imagining what her new house will look like
conceive	Applied in situations where there's a more complex or abstract creation of ideas or plans. The scientist conceived a new theory about space
envision	Commonly used in contexts of planning or predicting future events or scenarios. He envisions a future where cars can fly

Word

Description / Examples

imagining

Used when someone is forming a mental image or idea of something.

She is imagining what her new house will look like

conceive

Applied in situations where there's a more complex or abstract creation of ideas or plans.

The scientist conceived a new theory about space

envision

Commonly used in contexts of planning or predicting future events or scenarios.

He envisions a future where cars can fly

Examples of usage

She closed her eyes, trying to imagine the scene.
It's hard to imagine life without smartphones nowadays.
He could not imagine a more beautiful place to live.
Imagine yourself on a tropical beach, sipping a cocktail.
I can't even imagine what she must be going through.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

dream about

Have a hope or belief, especially a vague or irrational one.

Synonyms

delude, dream, fantasize, fantasize, wish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
imagining	Used when you are forming a picture or idea in your mind about something that is not present or not real. She spent the afternoon imagining what her new house would look like
dream	Used when talking about aspirations or subconscious visions occurring during sleep. It can be both literal or metaphorical. She dreams of becoming a doctor someday / I had a strange dream last night about flying
fantasize	Used when someone is indulging in elaborate daydreams or creating unrealistic and often whimsical scenarios in their mind, typically with an element of escapism. He likes to fantasize about living on a tropical island
wish	Used when expressing a desire or hope for something to happen or to be the case, often feeling more tangible compared to mere imagination. I wish I could travel more / She wishes for good health and happiness
delude	Used in a negative context when someone is making themselves believe something that is not true, often leading to deception. He tried to delude himself into thinking he could win the lottery without buying a ticket

Examples of usage

She imagined herself in the lead role of the play.
He imagined a future where everyone lived in harmony.
I never imagined I would end up living in this city.
He imagined that one day he would be famous.
Some people imagine that money will solve all their problems.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

pretend

Pretend to be someone or something.

Synonyms

feign, make-believe, play-act, pretend, simulate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
imagining	Used when someone is thinking of something that is not real or not present, often involving creativity or dreams. She spent the afternoon imagining herself as a famous artist He's always imagining what it would be like to travel to other planets
pretend	Used generally when someone is acting as if something is true when it is not, often involving children or playful scenarios, but it can also imply deception. The kids pretended they were astronauts exploring the moon She pretended to be happy, even though she was sad
play-act	Used when someone is pretending to be something they are not, often in a theatrical or exaggerated manner. He loved to play-act as a detective, searching for clues around the house During the play, the actors did an excellent job play-acting their roles
make-believe	Used to describe activities or situations that involve pretending or playing, often among children or in creative storytelling. The children were engaged in make-believe games, pretending to be pirates In her make-believe world, she was the queen of a distant land
feign	Used when someone is pretending to have a particular feeling, condition, or injury, often to deceive others. This word has a negative connotation. He would feign illness to avoid going to school She feigned surprise when she heard the news, although she already knew
simulate	Used in contexts where someone is imitating or replicating conditions, often for experimental or training purposes. Pilots use flight simulators to train for emergency situations The scientists developed a program to simulate the effects of climate change

Examples of usage

Children love to imagine they are superheroes.
She imagined herself as a detective solving mysteries.
He often imagines himself as a rock star performing on stage.
Let's imagine we are explorers in a far-off land.
Sometimes it's fun to imagine you are a different person.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Imagining can improve problem-solving skills by allowing you to visualize different solutions.
Research shows that daydreaming can enhance creativity, helping people come up with innovative ideas.
Imagining different scenarios can help people practice emotions and coping strategies in a safe space.

Literature

Many classic stories begin with characters using their imagination, showcasing the power of creativity in storytelling.
Authors often encourage readers to visualize settings and characters, making the story more engaging and personal.
Poetry frequently relies on vivid imagery to tap into the reader's imagination, eliciting emotions through language.

History

Throughout history, cultures have used storytelling and imagining as tools for teaching morals and lessons.
The Renaissance was a pivotal time that celebrated human creativity and imagination, leading to great art and scientific discoveries.
Ancient civilizations often imagined gods and myths, revealing their values and fears through storytelling.

Art

Imagining plays a crucial role in art, where artists depict scenes that stem from their thoughts and dreams.
Surrealism in art emerged as a movement focused on freeing the imagination, creating bizarre and dreamlike images.
Many famous artists, like Salvador Dalí, drew inspiration from their dreams, showcasing the potential of imagination.

Education

Imaginative play has been recognized as an essential part of childhood education, helping develop social skills and cognitive growth.
Creative writing exercises often encourage students to tap into their imagination, fostering literacy and critical thinking.
Teachers use visualizations and imagination techniques to help students grasp complex concepts in a relatable way.

Origin of 'imagining'

The word 'imagining' originated from the Latin word 'imaginari', which means 'to form a mental picture'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass not just visualizing images, but also dreaming, pretending, and believing in something that may not be real. The concept of imagining plays a crucial role in human creativity, problem-solving, and emotional well-being. It allows us to explore possibilities, empathize with others, and escape from reality. The ability to imagine is a unique and powerful aspect of the human mind.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,560, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11557 discontinue
11558 tentatively
11559 dine
11560 imagining
11561 snatched
11562 fantasies
11563 smelled
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