Meaning & use
imaginary worlds
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Meanings
nounplural
Places or settings that exist only in stories, games, or someone's imagination, not in real life.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; the singular form is 'imaginary world'. It often follows 'in' or 'of': in imaginary worlds, the creation of imaginary worlds.
Patterns
- in imaginary worlds
- create imaginary worlds
- the imaginary worlds of something
Children often create imaginary worlds where they are heroes.
The author is famous for the imaginary worlds she builds in her novels.
Video games let players explore imaginary worlds without leaving home.
nouncountable
A particular fictional setting or universe, especially one that is detailed and consistent.
Grammar: Countable when referring to a specific one; use 'an imaginary world' or 'imaginary worlds'.
Patterns
- an imaginary world
- build an imaginary world
- live in an imaginary world
The film takes place in an imaginary world ruled by machines.
Tolkien created an imaginary world with its own languages and history.
She escapes into an imaginary world whenever she feels stressed.
Word forms
| singular | imaginary world |
|---|
Common combinations
- create imaginary worlds
- Writers create imaginary worlds to explore real emotions.
- in an imaginary world
- The story is set in an imaginary world full of magic.
- escape into an imaginary world
- He escapes into an imaginary world to avoid his problems.
- the imaginary world of a child
- The imaginary world of a child can be very detailed.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fantasy world
- Similar, but often suggests magic or supernatural elements, while 'imaginary world' can be any invented setting.
- fictional universe
- More formal and often used for large, consistent settings in books or films.
- make-believe
- Focuses on the act of pretending, especially by children, rather than the setting itself.
Opposites
Word family
- imagine verb
- To form a picture or idea in your mind.
- imagination noun
- The ability to form ideas or pictures in your mind.
- imaginary adjective
- Existing only in the mind; not real.
Commonly confused: imaginary worlds or imaginary friend?
imaginary worlds vs imaginary friend
An imaginary friend is a specific invented companion, not a whole world.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'imaginary worlds' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Imaginary worlds' is plural, so it does not need an article and does not take a singular form. Option 0 is correct. Option 1 uses the singular without an article, which is wrong here. Option 2 mixes 'an' with a plural. Option 3 uses a possessive, which does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “imaginary worlds”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.