image
Pluralimages
Pluralimages
- 1A picture or copy that shows how a person or thing looks.
Like a photo that shows what something looks like.
She drew a simple image of her house.
The book is full of bright images of animals.
Similarpicture, likeness, depiction, representation, portrait
Note
- 2The way a person or company looks to other people.
Like the face you choose to show the world.
The singer wanted a cooler image for her fans.
Big brands care a lot about their public image.
UsagePeople talk about their public image.
Similarreputation, profile, persona, brand, standing
- 3A picture in your mind of something that is not really there.
Like a little movie that plays only inside your head.
He had a happy image of home in his mind.
Funny images popped into her head during the boring talk.
UsageSay you have an image in your mind.
Similarpicture, vision, memory, impression
Note
- 4To make a picture or copy of something.
Like taking a photo to make a copy of something.
The machine can image each page very fast.
They imaged the old map to keep a copy.
Similarscan, photograph, capture
Note
- 5
- 6A single file that holds everything needed to make a working copy of a system.
Like one big file that copies a whole computer at once.
He saved a backup image of his laptop before the update.
You can restore the computer from this image.
Note
Less common meanings
- 7To show or stand for something using a picture or symbol.
Like using a white dove to stand for peace.
Artists often image peace as a white dove.
The painting images hope as a bright light.
UsageFor pictures in your head, use imagine. To image peace as a dove is to show it that way.
Similarportray, depict, represent, picture, render
Note
- 8
- 9The value or values a function gives for one input, a group of inputs, or all of its inputs.
Like a machine that turns each number you put in into one answer.
If you put 3 into this function, the image is 9.
Each input number has just one image.
Note
- 10The outward look or appearance of something.
The face of things a frightful image bears.
1697, Virgil, The Works of VirgilHere, image means the outward look or appearance of things.Note
- 11To show something the way a mirror does.
Sorrow was dead indeed in her, but peace and perfect happiness were born; imaged in her tranquil beauty and profound repose.
1840, Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop - 12In radio, a weaker copy of a strong signal that shows up at a different frequency.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It came through Middle English and Old French from Latin "imāgō," meaning a copy or likeness.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Image came through Middle English and Old French from Latin imāgō. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin imāgō means a copy or likeness. en.wiktionary.org