notion

[noh-shuhn]

noun

1. a general understanding; vague or imperfect conception or idea of something.

   a notion of how something should be done.

2. an opinion, view, or belief.

   That's his notion, not mine.

3. conception or idea.

   his notion of democracy.

4. a fanciful or foolish idea; whim.

   She had a notion to swim in the winter.

5. an ingenious article, device, or contrivance; knickknack.

6. notions, small articles, as buttons, thread, ribbon, and other personal items, especially such items displayed together for sale, as in a department store.

notion

/ ˈnəʊʃən /

noun

1. a vague idea; impression

2. an idea, concept, or opinion

3. an inclination or whim

Other Word Forms

• notionless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of notion¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin nōtiōn- (stem of nōtiō ) “examination, idea,” equivalent to (g)nōt(us), past participle of (g)nōscere “to come to know” + -iōn- suffix forming nouns; notify, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of notion¹

C16: from Latin nōtiō a becoming acquainted (with), examination (of), from noscere to know

Example Sentences

Sweeney’s observations about this duality, as seen through O’Brien’s characters, dilute the romanticized notion that having an identical double shields a person from isolation.

From Los Angeles Times

“He got a lot of blowback from people who had the love-it-or-leave-it mentality. We’re seeing it again now, this notion that if you’re challenging the way things are, you must not love America.”

From Salon

Army veteran Rob Begland called “preposterous” the notion of 6,000 veterans from across the nation being “dumped into Los Angeles.”

From Los Angeles Times

Twenty years later, Daniels and his co-creator, Michael Koman, ponder a similar notion regarding one paper: The Toledo Truth Teller, an Ohio daily with a storied legacy.

From Salon

Jordan said he is talking about his journey because the way that prostate cancer and notions of manhood and masculinity are interwoven means men don’t like to talk about the disease — Black men especially.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• approach 
• assumption 
• concept 
• conception 
• image 
• impression 
• knowledge 
• opinion 
• perception 
• sentiment 
• suggestion 
• thought 
• understanding 
• view 

When To Use

What are other ways to say notion?

A notion is a vague or imperfect idea or a general understanding of something. How is it different from thought, conception, and idea? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.