What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imaginary
Example
The child had an imaginary friend who he played with every day. [imaginary: adjective]
Example
The author created an imaginary world filled with magical creatures. [imaginary: adjective]
hypothetical
Example
If I won the lottery, I would buy a yacht. [hypothetical: adjective]
Example
The scientist proposed a hypothetical explanation for the phenomenon. [hypothetical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hypothetical is more commonly used than imaginary in everyday language. Hypothetical is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while imaginary is less common and often used in creative writing or storytelling.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imaginary and hypothetical?
Both imaginary and hypothetical can be used in formal and informal contexts, but hypothetical is more commonly used in academic or scientific writing, making it slightly more formal than imaginary.
