# imagining

/ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ/ (US) · /ɪmˈædʒɪnɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imagining
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. forming a mental image

verb · CEFR B1

the action of creating a picture or idea in your mind.

For teachers: the present participle of 'imagine', describing the process of forming a mental concept or image of something not present.

- I was imagining what it would be like to live on a tropical island.
- The architect spent hours imagining how the natural light would interact with the glass surfaces of the new atrium throughout the day.

Usage: often used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing mental process.

### 2. thoughts or fantasies

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

the thoughts, worries, or fantasies that someone has in their mind.

For teachers: a mental image or a product of the imagination; often used in the plural to describe internal thoughts or suspicions.

- She tried to ignore her dark imaginings about what might go wrong.
- The poet's private imaginings were eventually published, revealing a complex inner world that few of his contemporaries had suspected.

Usage: frequently appears in the plural form 'imaginings'.

## Examples

- I am imagining a world without any wars.
- She spent the afternoon imagining what her life would be like if she moved to a different country.
- By imagining the potential consequences of each decision, the strategist was able to anticipate the competitor's moves before they were even executed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.