# notion

/ˈnoʊʃən/ (US) · /nˈəʊʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/notion
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an idea or concept

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

an idea, belief, or understanding of something.

For teachers: a mental representation or conceptual understanding of a particular topic or phenomenon.

- Many people still hold the notion that success only comes from hard work.
- The traditional notion of a fixed career path has been challenged by the rise of the gig economy and remote work arrangements.

### 2. a sudden desire

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a sudden feeling or desire to do something, often without a clear reason.

For teachers: an impulsive inclination or whim to perform a specific action.

- She had a sudden notion to go for a walk in the rain.
- He occasionally took the notion to quit his corporate job and move to the countryside, though he never actually followed through.

### 3. sewing supplies

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Technical

small items used for sewing, such as buttons, zippers, and thread.

For teachers: small functional items or accessories used in sewing and haberdashery.

- You can find buttons and needles in the notions department of the store.
- The tailor kept a vast collection of notions, ranging from vintage brass buttons to high-quality silk threads, in neatly labelled drawers.

### 4. pretentiousness

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English · Informal

the act of thinking you are better or more important than you really are.

For teachers: an attitude of pretentiousness or having ideas above one's social station.

- Ever since he moved to the city, he's come back home with all sorts of notions.
- The locals were quick to criticise anyone who returned from abroad with notions, viewing any change in accent or habit as an affectation.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'notions'.

Teaching tip: This is specifically common in Irish English to describe someone who is acting 'fancy' or superior.

## Examples

- I have no notion of what he is talking about.
- The traditional notion that a college degree guarantees a high-paying job is being questioned by many young people today.
- The author challenges the romanticised notion of rural life, presenting instead a gritty and realistic portrayal of the hardships faced by farming communities in the nineteenth century.

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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.