Notion Meaning
/ˈnəʊʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounMental apprehension of whatever may be known, thought, or imagined; idea, concept.
nounA sentiment; an opinion.
Sentence Examples
I had no notion that you were coming.
Where did he ever come up with the notion of opening a branch?
She rejected the old notion that women cannot succeed.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist's ____ that the earth is round was proven long ago.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist challenged the traditional ____ that light only traveled in straight lines.
Word Origin & History
From Latin nōtiō (“a becoming acquainted, a taking cognizance, an examination, an investigation, a conception, idea, notion”), from nōscō (“to know”). Compare French notion. See know.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"What hath been generally agreed on, I content myself to assume under the notion of principles."
— 1704, I[saac] N[ewton], “(please specify |book=1 to 3)”, in Opticks: Or, A Treatise of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Colours of Light. […], London: […] Sam[uel] Smith, and Benj[amin] Walford, printers to the Royal Society, […], →OCLC:
"That notion of hunger, cold, sound, color, thought, wish, or fear which is in the mind, is called the "idea" of hunger, cold, etc."
— 1725, Isaac Watts, Logick: Or, The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry after Truth, […], 2nd edition, London: […] John Clark and Richard Hett, […], Emanuel Matthews, […], and Richard Ford, […], published 1726, →OCLC:
"Notion, again, signifies either the act of apprehending, signalizing, that is, the remarking or taking note of, the various notes, marks, or characters of an object which its qualities afford, or the result of that act."
— a. 1857, William Hamilton, edited by H[enry] L[ongueville] Mansel and John Veitch, Lectures on Metaphysics and Logic […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, published 1859–1860, →OCLC:
"The extravagant notion they entertain of themselves."
— 1715 April 12 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 30. Friday, April 2. [1715.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC:
"“Anthea hasn't a notion in her head but to vamp a lot of silly mugwumps. She's set her heart on that tennis bloke[…]whom the papers are making such a fuss about.”"
— 1935, George Goodchild, chapter 1, in Death on the Centre Court:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist's ____ that the earth is round was proven long ago.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist challenged the traditional ____ that light only traveled in straight lines.