B1adjectiveartspsychology
US/ɪˈmædʒ.ə.ner.i/
UK/ɪˈmædʒ.ɪ.nər.i/
existing only in your mind, not in real life
In context
When she was five, my daughter had an imaginary friend called Bo.
The story takes place in an imaginary city under the sea.
Many of his health problems are imaginary, but he still worries.
Words that go with imaginary
adjective + noun
- imaginary friendLots of young children talk to an imaginary friend.
- imaginary worldThe game lets you build your own imaginary world.
- imaginary lineThe equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth.
- imaginary problemDon't waste time worrying about imaginary problems.
adverb + adjective
- purely imaginaryThe characters in this novel are purely imaginary.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
He is a very imaginary student.Correct: He is a very imaginative student.