How to Pronounce Imaginary

To pronounce "imaginary", say IM-ag-in-ary — 4 syllables, IPA /ɪˈmædʒɪn(ə)ɹi/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

imaginary

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying imaginary, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

4

Syllables

9

Letters

/ɪˈmædʒɪn(ə)ɹi/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “imaginary”

"imaginary" has 4 syllables: im-ag-in-ary. It rhymes with extraordinary and contemporary, if that helps it stick.

What does imaginary mean?

noun

  1. Imagination; fancy.
  2. An imaginary quantity.

adjective

  1. Existing only in the imagination.

    “Santa Claus is imaginary.”

  2. (of a number) Having no real part; that part of a complex number which is a multiple of the square root of -1.

Synonyms

all in one's head

Hear “imaginary” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with imaginary

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

extraordinarycontemporarycontrarysanctuarysolitaryarbitrarywaryordinarytarryemissarycarryancillary

Related words

imaginednotionalfancifulunrealfantasyimaginationimaginativefabled

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "imaginary"?▾

"Imaginary" has 4 syllables: im · ag · in · ary.

What is the IPA transcription of "imaginary"?▾

The IPA transcription of "imaginary" is /ɪˈmædʒɪn(ə)ɹi/.

What does "imaginary" mean?▾

Imaginary: Imagination; fancy.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “imaginary” in the full dictionary →