Definition

1. Verb:
   • To form a mental image or concept of something not present to the senses: To create a picture or idea in your mind of something that is not real, not currently happening, or that you have not experienced directly.
   • To suppose or assume; to believe something to be the case, often without firm evidence: To think that something is probable or true.

Usage

• The verb "imagine" is used to describe the act of creating ideas or pictures in your mind. It is often followed by a noun, a gerund (verb+ing), or a clause starting with "that" (which can be omitted).
• It is commonly used in both positive and negative contexts (e.g., "I can imagine..." or "I can't imagine...").

Examples

• Forming a mental image:
  • Close your eyes and imagine a peaceful beach.
  • She imagined herself winning the award.
• Supposing or believing:
  • I imagine he will be late again.
  • "Is she coming?" "I imagine so."

Advanced Usage

• "Imagine that!": An exclamation of surprise or disbelief about a situation.
  • He's never been on a plane before. Imagine that!
• "Just imagine...": Used to introduce a hypothetical scenario for consideration.
  • Just imagine if we could travel anywhere instantly.

Variants and Related Words

• Imagination (n): The faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.
  • Children have vivid imaginations.
• Imaginative (adj): Having or showing creativity or inventiveness.
  • She is a very imaginative writer.
• Imaginary (adj): Existing only in the imagination.
  • The story is set in an imaginary world.

Synonyms

• Envision: To picture mentally, especially future possibilities.
• Visualize: To form a mental image of something.
• Suppose: To assume something is the case, often temporarily.
• Conceive: To form or devise a plan or idea in the mind.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Imagine" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically contained within the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "You can't imagine...": Used to emphasize that something is extremely good, bad, surprising, etc.
  • You can't imagine how happy I was to see her.
• "In your imagination": Used to suggest that something someone believes or describes is not real.
  • That success exists only in your imagination.

Verb

1. expect, believe, or suppose
   • I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novel
   • I thought to find her in a bad state
   • he didn't think to find her in the kitchen
   • I guess she is angry at me for standing her up
2. form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
   • Can you conceive of him as the president?