imagery
gb/ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/ us/ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
B2
Anglais
~ 5900
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B2
entity
1
pictures or symbols in art/media
Pictures or symbols that are shown in art, books, movies, or ads to send a message or create a feeling.
Schéma d’usage :
imagery in [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse “imagery” with “image.” “Image” is usually one single picture, while “imagery” is about pictures or symbols as a group, or the way they are used to send a message.
Synonymes
visuals (More informal and broad; often used for the overall look of media, not specifically symbolic content.)
|
iconography (More formal and often used for sets of symbols, especially in religion or art history.)
Antonymes
text (Contrasts visual content with written words only.)
Collocations
visual imagery
|religious imagery
|violent imagery
|sexual imagery
|graphic imagery
|political imagery
Thèmes
arts
|media
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Exemples
- The film uses religious imagery to question traditional beliefs.
- Advertisers often rely on powerful imagery to make their products memorable.
- The graphic imagery in the documentary was upsetting for some viewers.
- The artist’s work is full of political imagery that criticizes the government.
- Music videos today are packed with fast-moving visual imagery.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The movie has a lot of violent imagery.
- The book cover uses dark imagery to show fear.
- The ad uses happy family imagery to sell the product.
- The painting is full of religious imagery.
- That game has strong sexual imagery, so it is for adults.
Nom
C1
entity
2
descriptive language that creates images
Words that describe things so clearly that you can almost see, hear, feel, taste, or smell them in your mind.
Schéma d’usage :
imagery in [a text/speech]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes think “imagery” means only pictures, not words. In literature and writing, “imagery” refers to language that creates pictures or other sense experiences in the reader’s mind.
Synonymes
figurative language (Broader term that includes imagery plus other figures of speech like metaphor and personification.)
|
evocative description (Focuses more on the emotional and sensory effect than on the technical literary term.)
Antonymes
literal language (Language that states facts directly without trying to create pictures or sensory effects.)
Collocations
poetic imagery
|vivid imagery
|rich imagery
|powerful imagery
|sensory imagery
|nature imagery
Thèmes
literature
|education
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Exemples
- The novel’s rich imagery brings the city to life on the page.
- Students were asked to analyze the natural imagery in the poem.
- Her speech used war imagery to describe the fight against climate change.
- The author relies heavily on dark imagery to create a sense of fear.
- Good writers use strong imagery to keep readers engaged.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The poem has beautiful nature imagery.
- The writer uses strong imagery to show the fire.
- We talked about the imagery in this short story in class.
- The teacher asked us to find examples of imagery in the text.
- Dark imagery in the book makes the reader feel worried.
Nom
technical
C1
state
3
mental pictures in the mind
Pictures or other sense feelings that you can ‘see’ or feel in your mind, not with your eyes or body.
Schéma d’usage :
imagery of [something] in the mind
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse “imagery” with “imagination.” “Imagination” is the general ability to create new ideas or pictures in your mind, while “imagery” here is the actual mental pictures or sense experiences themselves.
Synonymes
mental visualization (More explicit and technical; focuses on the act of making mental pictures, usually visual.)
Antonymes
lack of imagination (Describes the absence or weakness of mental images or creative inner pictures.)
Collocations
mental imagery
|visual imagery
|guided imagery
|vivid imagery
|dream imagery
Thèmes
psychology
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Athletes often use mental imagery to improve their performance.
- The therapist taught her guided imagery to help manage stress.
- Some people experience very vivid visual imagery when they read novels.
- The study explores the relationship between dream imagery and waking emotions.
- Children with strong imagery skills may find it easier to remember new words.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He uses mental imagery before a race.
- The coach asks players to practice imagery at home.
- Guided imagery can help people relax.
- Some people have very clear visual imagery when they close their eyes.
- Her dream imagery was strange and colorful.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
imagery
API
GB/ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
US/ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
Syllabes et accentuation
im - agery (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (im)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: imagery
- Plural: imageries, imagery
Famille de mots
Forms
imageries
noun
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unimaginative
adjective
unimaginable
adjective C1
Expressions
dark imagery
1/dˈɑɹk ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
imagery with a gloomy feeling
Imagery that makes you think of bad, sad, or scary things.
Exemples
- The series uses dark imagery to create a sense of danger.
- Her early poems are full of dark imagery about death and loss.
dream imagery
1/dɹˈim ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
images that appear in dreams
Strange or strong pictures and scenes that you see in your dreams.
Exemples
- The painting is inspired by his dream imagery.
- Psychologists sometimes study dream imagery to understand the mind.
graphic imagery
1/ɡɹˈæfɪk ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
very detailed shocking images
Pictures or scenes that show very clear and strong detail, often about blood, injury, or sex.
Exemples
- The news report contained graphic imagery of the accident.
- Viewers are warned about graphic imagery before the documentary starts.
mental imagery
1/mˈɛntəl ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
technical
pictures in your mind
Pictures or other sense feelings that happen only in your mind, not in the real world.
Exemples
- The study looks at how mental imagery helps memory.
- Athletes practice mental imagery before important races.
nature imagery
1/nˈeɪt͡ʃɚ ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
images or language about nature
Imagery that shows things like trees, animals, mountains, or the sea.
Exemples
- The poet uses nature imagery to express peace and freedom.
- The film’s opening is full of nature imagery, with forests and rivers.
poetic imagery
1/poʊˈɛtɪk ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
imagery used in poetry
Strong pictures or sense feelings that come from the words in a poem.
Exemples
- The poet is famous for her delicate poetic imagery.
- We discussed the poetic imagery that describes the sea.
powerful imagery
1/pˈaʊɚfəl ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
imagery with strong emotional effect
Imagery that makes you feel something very strongly.
Exemples
- The film’s powerful imagery stays with you long after it ends.
- She uses powerful imagery to show the pain of war.
religious imagery
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
religious symbols and pictures
Pictures or symbols connected to a religion, like crosses, temples, or holy people.
Exemples
- The painting is full of religious imagery from the Bible.
- The director uses religious imagery to explore questions of faith.
rich imagery
1/ɹˈɪt͡ʃ ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
complex, detailed imagery
Imagery that has a lot of detail and many different pictures or ideas.
Exemples
- The novel is known for its rich imagery and complex characters.
- Her writing is full of rich imagery that makes the world feel real.
sexual imagery
1/sˈɛkʃuəl ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
images or scenes of sexuality
Pictures or scenes that show sexual acts, bodies, or nudity.
Exemples
- The movie contains sexual imagery and is not suitable for children.
- Some music videos use a lot of sexual imagery to get attention.
violent imagery
1/vˈaɪələnt ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
images or scenes of violence
Pictures or scenes that show fighting, blood, or physical harm.
Exemples
- The game was criticized for its extreme violent imagery.
- Parents worry about the effect of violent imagery on young children.
visual imagery
1/vˈɪʒuəl ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɹi/
fixed phrase
imagery made of visible pictures
Imagery that is based on things you can see, like pictures, shapes, and colors.
Exemples
- The ad uses bright visual imagery to catch your eye.
- The poem’s visual imagery makes the landscape easy to imagine.