[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/imaginary/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [I](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/i/) / imaginary

# imaginary

adjective (imaginary)

«imaginary» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Imaginary means existing only in the mind, not real. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#m1)
2. In maths an imaginary line, like a line of symmetry or the equator, is one we think of but cannot see. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and play children have imaginary friends and imaginary worlds. In geography the equator and lines of latitude are imaginary lines on the Earth. In maths a line of symmetry is imaginary. In English lessons pupils tell real from imaginary events. Phrases: imaginary friend, imaginary line, imaginary world.

### Examples

- She has an imaginary friend called Polly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#x1)
- The equator is an imaginary line around the Earth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#x2)
- Dragons are imaginary creatures. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#x3)
- We built an imaginary castle in the playground. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#x4)
- Draw the imaginary line of symmetry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#x5)
- The monster under the bed was only imaginary. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#x6)
- “Not quite empty, mummy,” Slightly said, after looking into an imaginary mug. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/#x7)

### Note

Do not confuse «imaginary» (not real) with «imaginative» (good at thinking of new ideas). «An imaginative pupil invented an imaginary land.» Noun: imagination. Opposite: real.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «imaginary» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/imaginary/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«imaginary» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/imaginary.html) on Mova free.