Notional — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈnō-sh(ə-)nəl/ no·tion·al

Meaning & Definition of Notional

Notional (adjective)

  1. theoretical, speculative
  2. existing in the mind only, imaginary
  3. given to foolish or fanciful moods or ideas

Notional (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. dealing with or expressing a quality or idea

    "she has a notional understanding of romantic love but no actual experience of being in love"

    similar: abstract, conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, theoretical
    related: conjectural, hypothetical, speculative, cosmic, intellectual, mental, spiritual, ethereal, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unsubstantial, impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, impractical, romantic, transcendent, transcendental, unreal, utopian, visionary
    opposite: concrete, nonabstract
    near: material, physical, appreciable, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, substantial, tangible, visible, defined, definite, distinct, actual, factual, real

  2. not real and existing only in the imagination

    "your computer's visits to various parts of cyberspace are entirely notional—you stay put and the Web pages come to you"

    similar: chimerical, fabulous, fanciful, fantasied, fantastic, fictional, fictitious, ideal, imaginal, imaginary, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, mythical, phantasmal, phantasmic, phantom, pretend, unreal, visionary
    related: fabled, legendary, romantic, abstract, hypothetical, theoretical, unbelievable, unconvincing, unlikely, conceived, envisaged, envisioned, pictured, visualized, daydreamlike, deceptive, delusional, delusive, hallucinatory, illusory, phantasmagoric, concocted, fabricated, feigned, fictive, inexistent, nonexistent
    opposite: actual, existent, existing, real
    near: authentic, genuine, true, factual, verifiable, verified, believable, convincing, realistic, corporeal, material, physical, solid, substantial, palpable, tangible

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Notional

The most common words with a similar meaning to Notional:

abstract, conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, theoretical, chimerical, fabulous, fanciful, fantasied, fantastic, fictional, fictitious, imaginal, imaginary, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, mythical, phantasmal, phantasmic, phantom, pretend, unreal, visionary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Notional

Words with the opposite meaning of Notional:

concrete, nonabstract, actual, existent, existing, real

Related Words for Notional

conjectural, hypothetical, speculative, cosmic, intellectual, mental, spiritual, ethereal, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unsubstantial, impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, impractical, romantic, transcendent, transcendental, utopian, fabled, legendary, unbelievable, unconvincing, unlikely, conceived

Near Antonyms of Notional

material, physical, appreciable, detectable, discernible, noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, substantial, tangible, visible, defined, definite, distinct, factual, authentic, genuine, true, verifiable, verified, believable, convincing, realistic, corporeal, solid

Word Forms of Notional

Derived words: notionality (noun), notionally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Notional

First known use: 1597

Frequently Asked Questions about Notional

What does "Notional" mean?

"Notional" means theoretical, speculative. As an adjective, it is defined as: theoretical, speculative. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Notional"?

Other words for "Notional" include abstract, conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, theoretical, chimerical and fabulous. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Notional" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Notional"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Notional". Common alternatives include abstract, conceptual, ideal, ideational, metaphysical, theoretical, chimerical, fabulous, fanciful and fantasied.

What is the opposite of "Notional"?

Antonyms of "Notional" include concrete, nonabstract, actual, existent, existing and real. Near antonyms include material, physical, appreciable and detectable.

How do you use "Notional" in a sentence?

Examples of "Notional" in a sentence: "she has a notional understanding of romantic love but no actual experience of being in love"; "your computer's visits to various parts of cyberspace are entirely notional—you stay put and the Web pages come to you".

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

"Notional" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Notional"?

"Notional" is pronounced /ˈnō-sh(ə-)nəl/ and divided into syllables as no·tion·al.

What is the origin of the word "Notional"?

First known use: 1597.