verb (used with object), im·ag·ined, im·ag·in·ing.
- to form a mental image of (something not actually present to the senses).
- to think, believe, or fancy: He imagined the house was haunted.
- to assume; suppose: I imagine they’ll be here soon.
- to conjecture; guess: I cannot imagine what you mean.
- Archaic. to plan, scheme, or plot.
verb (used without object), im·ag·ined, im·ag·in·ing.
- to form mental images of things not present to the senses; use the imagination.
- to suppose; think; conjecture.
adjective
- not having been conceived ofa hitherto unimagined scale
verb
- (when tr, may take a clause as object) to form a mental image of
- (when tr, may take a clause as object) to think, believe, or guess
- (tr; takes a clause as object) to suppose; assumeI imagine he’ll come
- (tr; takes a clause as object) to believe or assume without foundationhe imagines he knows the whole story
- an archaic word for plot 1
sentence substitute
- Also: imagine that! an exclamation of surprise
v.mid-14c., “to form a mental image of,” from Old French imaginer “sculpt, carve, paint; decorate, embellish” (13c.), from Latin imaginari “to form a mental picture to oneself, imagine” (also, in Late Latin imaginare “to form an image of, represent”), from imago (see image). Sense of “suppose” is first recorded late 14c. Related: Imagined; imagining.