IMAGINE

[verb] [T] - to form or have a mental picture or idea of (something)Imagine Robert Redford when he was young - that's what John looks like.Imagine (that) you're eating an ice cream - try and feel how cold it is. [+ (that) clause]Can you imagine how feels to be blind? [+ wh- word]When I imagine seeing him again I feel so happy. [+ verb-ing]She imagined herself sitting in her favourite armchair back home. [+ object + verb-ing]I imagine (= think) (that) San Francisco must be a wonderful place to live. [+ (that) clause]"Will they change it?" "I imagine (= expect) so."They hadn't imagined (= expected) (that) it would be so difficult. [+ (that) clause]I can't imagine (= I really don't know) what he wants from us.If you imagine something, you think that it exists, has happened or is true, although in fact it is not real or true."Did you hear a noise?" "No, you're imagining things/No, you must have imagined it."He seems to imagine (that) he's being followed by the FBI! [+ (that) clause]Imagine is used in phrases which emphasize a statement.You can/can't imagine what a mess the house was in after the party (= it was extremely untidy).Imagine (that)! is used to express surprise, shock or anger.She got married at 16! Imagine (that)!Imagine leaving her husband and going off with a man 20 years younger than her!