notion
A notion is an idea, belief, or a general understanding about how something works.
Explanation at your level:
A notion is a small idea. You can say, 'I have a notion to eat pizza.' It is just a thought in your head.
A notion is a belief or an idea. It is like when you think something might be true, but you are not 100% sure. It is a common word in English.
A notion is a general understanding of a concept. We often use it when talking about theories or opinions. For example, 'The notion that money brings happiness is debated.' It is a bit more formal than 'idea'.
A notion often implies a vague or subjective view. It is frequently used in collocations like 'preconceived notion' or 'absurd notion.' It suggests that the speaker is distancing themselves from the idea's factual accuracy.
In advanced usage, 'notion' is used to critique or explore abstract frameworks. It is essential in academic writing to discuss the 'notion of X,' where X is a complex social or philosophical construct. It carries a nuance of being a mental construct rather than an objective reality.
At the mastery level, 'notion' is used to highlight the limitations of human perception. It is often employed in literary contexts to describe the fleeting, ephemeral nature of human thought. It bridges the gap between empirical fact and the subjective interpretation of the world.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Notion is a noun meaning an idea or belief.
- It is often used for vague or subjective thoughts.
- It is a versatile word for both formal and casual speech.
- Commonly used in 'the notion of' and 'have a notion'.
Think of a notion as a soft, fuzzy idea. It is not quite a solid fact or a deeply researched theory; it is more like a hunch or a starting point for thinking.
When you have a notion, you are often expressing a belief that you haven't fully tested yet. It is the kind of word we use when we want to sound thoughtful but perhaps a little bit uncertain. It is a very useful word for describing the subjective side of human thought.
The word notion comes from the Latin word notio, which means 'an examination' or 'an idea.' It evolved through Old French before landing in English in the 16th century.
Historically, it was linked to the act of 'knowing' or 'getting to know' something. Over the centuries, it shifted from meaning a formal investigation to describing the result of that process—the mental image we keep in our minds.
We often use notion in phrases like 'have a notion' or 'the very notion of.' It is slightly more formal than 'idea' but less heavy than 'conviction.'
You will hear it used in academic settings to talk about abstract concepts, like 'the notion of justice,' or in casual conversation, like 'I had a sudden notion to go for a walk.' It is a versatile word that fits almost any register.
1. To have a notion: To have a slight idea. 2. Get the notion: To suddenly decide to do something. 3. Beyond all notions: Something completely unthinkable. 4. A fair notion: A pretty good idea. 5. Take a notion: To act on an impulse.
Notion is a countable noun. You can have 'a notion' or 'notions.' The stress is on the first syllable: NO-tion.
In the UK, it is pronounced /ˈnəʊ.ʃən/, and in the US, /ˈnoʊ.ʃən/. It rhymes with motion, ocean, and potion.
Fun Fact
It comes from the Latin 'notus', which means 'known'.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with a long 'o' sound.
Starts with a diphthong 'o'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 't' as a 'ch' too early
- Swallowing the 'sh' sound
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
A notion
Noun Clauses
The notion that he is here
Adjective Collocations
Vague notion
Examples by Level
I have a notion to play.
I have an idea to play
have a notion
She has a strange notion.
Do you have any notion of the time?
That is a silly notion.
He had a notion to call her.
I have no notion of what he means.
It is a common notion.
The notion is new.
Keep that notion in mind.
The notion of freedom is complex.
He dismissed the notion entirely.
I had no notion that he was coming.
She has a vague notion of the rules.
The notion that the earth is flat is wrong.
They share the same notion.
It defies the very notion of fairness.
Do you have a notion how hard this is?
He has a preconceived notion about city life.
The notion of progress is often debated.
She rejected the notion that she was lazy.
His notions of success are quite unique.
The very notion of failure terrified him.
We must challenge our existing notions.
He has a romantic notion of the past.
The notion is fundamentally flawed.
The notion of the 'self' is central to psychology.
He challenged the prevailing notion of morality.
The notion of time is relative.
Her work explores the notion of identity.
The notion of sovereignty is changing.
It is a radical notion in modern science.
The notion of beauty is subjective.
He deconstructed the notion of power.
The notion of the sublime permeates his poetry.
Such notions are relics of a bygone era.
The ontological notion of being is difficult.
He holds a quaint notion of chivalry.
The notion of causality is under scrutiny.
Her writing subverts the notion of truth.
The notion of fate is a recurring theme.
He examined the notion of collective memory.
Synonyme
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"have no notion"
to have no idea at all
I have no notion where she went.
neutral"take a notion"
to suddenly decide
He took a notion to travel.
casual"the very notion"
the mere thought of something
The very notion makes me angry.
formal"notion of self"
how one views oneself
His notion of self is strong.
formal"preconceived notion"
an idea formed before knowing facts
Avoid preconceived notions.
neutralEasily Confused
Similar sounds
Notice is a verb/noun about seeing; notion is an idea.
I noticed the notion.
Rhyme
Motion is movement; notion is thought.
The motion of the ocean.
Spelling
Nation is a country; notion is an idea.
The nation had a notion.
Adjective form
Notional is the adjective; notion is the noun.
A notional idea.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + have + a + notion + to + verb
I have a notion to sing.
Subject + have + no + notion + of + noun
I have no notion of the cost.
The + notion + that + clause
The notion that he is smart is true.
Preconceived + notion
He has a preconceived notion.
The + very + notion
The very notion is scary.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
Notion is only a noun.
They sound similar but mean different things.
A is for singular.
Notion implies uncertainty.
It ends in -tion.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place a 'notion' (a cloud) in your hallway.
Native Speakers
Use it when you want to sound thoughtful.
Cultural Insight
Often used in political debates.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it as a noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'shun' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Do not verb it.
Did You Know?
It comes from Latin.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Notion: No-t-ion (No-Tion: No-thought-in)
Visual Association
A lightbulb that is slightly dim.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write three sentences using 'notion' today.
Wortherkunft
Latin
Original meaning: Examination or idea
Kultureller Kontext
None.
Used frequently in intellectual and casual discourse.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Academic Writing
- The notion of
- Challenging the notion
- Prevailing notion
Casual Conversation
- I had a notion
- No notion
- Silly notion
Debates
- The notion that
- Dismiss the notion
- Reject the notion
Philosophy
- Notion of self
- Abstract notion
- Notion of truth
Conversation Starters
"What is your notion of a perfect day?"
"Do you have any preconceived notions about this city?"
"What is the most absurd notion you have ever heard?"
"Do you agree with the notion that money is everything?"
"How would you explain the notion of love?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a notion you once had that turned out to be wrong.
Describe your notion of success.
Is there a common notion in society that you disagree with?
How does your notion of yourself change over time?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNo, it is only a noun.
Use it like 'idea'.
It can be both formal and casual.
Notions.
No, it usually means a belief.
No, that is incorrect.
Yes, very common.
Motion, ocean.
Teste dich selbst
I have a ___ to go out.
Notion fits the context of an idea.
What is a notion?
It is a mental concept.
A notion is always a proven scientific fact.
A notion is often vague or subjective.
Word
Bedeutung
Notion is often vague.
I had a notion.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
A notion is a mental spark, a soft idea that is waiting to be proven or dismissed.
- Notion is a noun meaning an idea or belief.
- It is often used for vague or subjective thoughts.
- It is a versatile word for both formal and casual speech.
- Commonly used in 'the notion of' and 'have a notion'.
Memory Palace
Place a 'notion' (a cloud) in your hallway.
Native Speakers
Use it when you want to sound thoughtful.
Cultural Insight
Often used in political debates.
Grammar Shortcut
Always keep it as a noun.
Beispiel
I have a vague notion of how the machine works.
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