1 [U,C] the ability to create pictures in your mind; the part of your mind that does this:
a vivid / fertile imagination * He's got no imagination. * It doesn't take much imagination to guess what she meant. * I won't tell you his reaction-I'll leave that to your imagination. * Don't let your imagination run away with you (= don't use too much imagination). * The new policies appear to have caught the imagination of the public (= they find them interesting and exciting). * Nobody hates you-it's all in your imagination. * (informal) Use your imagination! (= used to tell sb that they will have to guess the answer to the question they have asked you, usually because it is obvious or embarrassing) * His stories really stretch children's imaginations.
2 [U] something that you have imagined rather than sth that exists:
She was no longer able to distinguish between imagination and reality. * Is it my imagination or have you lost a lot of weight?
3 [U] the ability to have new and exciting ideas:
His writing lacks imagination. * With just a little imagination, you could turn this place into a palace. * We are looking for someone with ingenuity and imagination.
IDIOMS see FIGMENT, STRETCHn.
