Chimera — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /kī-ˈmir-ə/ chi·me·ra

Meaning & Definition of Chimera

Chimera (noun)

  1. a fire-breathing female monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail
  2. an imaginary monster compounded of incongruous parts
  3. an illusion or fabrication of the mind; especially, an unrealizable dream

Chimera (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality

    "a monster in the closet would not have been the first chimera that the boy had seen in his mind's eye"

    similar: conceit, daydream, delusion, dream, fancy, fantasy, figment, hallucination, illusion, nonentity, phantasm, pipe dream, unreality, vision, castle in Spain, castle in the air
    related: ignis fatuus, mirage, will-o'-the-wisp, brainchild, idea, concoction, fable, fabrication, fiction, invention, envisaging, imaging, visualization, cloud-cuckoo-land, cloudland, Shangri-la, utopia, daymare, nightmare
    near: actuality, fact, reality

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Chimera

The most common words with a similar meaning to Chimera:

conceit, daydream, delusion, dream, fancy, fantasy, figment, hallucination, illusion, nonentity, phantasm, pipe dream, unreality, vision, castle in Spain, castle in the air

Related Words for Chimera

ignis fatuus, mirage, will-o'-the-wisp, brainchild, idea, concoction, fable, fabrication, fiction, invention, envisaging, imaging, visualization, cloud-cuckoo-land, cloudland, Shangri-la, utopia, daymare, nightmare

Near Antonyms of Chimera

actuality, fact, reality

Origin & Etymology of Chimera

Latin chimaera, from Greek chimaira she-goat, chimera; akin to Old Norse gymbr yearling ewe, Greek cheimōn winter hibernate

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Chimera

What does "Chimera" mean?

"Chimera" means a fire-breathing female monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail. As a noun, it is defined as: a fire-breathing female monster in Greek mythology having a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.

What is another word for "Chimera"?

Other words for "Chimera" include conceit, daydream, delusion, dream, fancy, fantasy, figment and hallucination. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Chimera" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Chimera"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Chimera". Common alternatives include conceit, daydream, delusion, dream, fancy, fantasy, figment, hallucination, illusion and nonentity.

How do you use "Chimera" in a sentence?

Examples of "Chimera" in a sentence: "a monster in the closet would not have been the first chimera that the boy had seen in his mind's eye".

Is "Chimera" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Chimera" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Chimera"?

"Chimera" is pronounced /kī-ˈmir-ə/ and divided into syllables as chi·me·ra.

What is the origin of the word "Chimera"?

"Chimera" comes from Latin chimaera, from Greek chimaira she-goat, chimera; akin to Old Norse gymbr yearling ewe, Greek cheimōn winter hibernate. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Chimera" meaning "a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality"?

When "Chimera" (noun) means a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality, synonyms include conceit, daydream, delusion, dream, fancy and fantasy.