figment

USAGE SUMMARY

"figment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun which refers to something that exists only in the imagination. Example sentence: "His idea of a perfect life was nothing more than a figment of his imagination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Axact denied the allegations in a statement describing the New York Times story as "baseless, substandard, maligning, defamatory, and based on false accusations and merely a figment of imagination published without taking the company's point of view".

The Guardian

I mean, I'm very flattered … [but] this is really a figment of his imagination.

The Guardian

The Chinese have hinted they may offer a date by when their carbon emissions will peak.So the power of the European example may not be a complete figment of officials' imagination.

The Economist

The small or (more often) "tiny minority" is generally a figment of cowardice rather than concealment: deployed to minimise failure and justify inaction, rather than to finesse evil.

The Economist

Those ubiquitous smartphones are not a figment of your imagination.

The Economist

In the tribal areas, where the army is expected to resume campaigning after it finishes in Swat, and where the state is currently a figment, addressing it will require serious thought.

The Economist

The Jordanian Mr Zarqawi (who many Iraqis say is a figment of American imagination) has been a co-ordinator for non-Iraqi money and volunteers coming into Iraq.

The Economist

A few years ago, Mr Biggs got into trouble for writing about a plumber who was too busy day-trading shares to fix his pipes, who turned out to be a figment of his imagination.

The Economist

Today it is abundantly clear that those revelations were not a figment of accountants' imagination.

The Economist

The Atlanticists' vision for Britain's freewheeling post-European future is a figment.

The Economist

A failed missile test, concluded America, after watching the rocket plop down in the Pacific.Whether the satellite was a figment of Mr Kim's imagination hardly matters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "figment", ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject is unreal or exists only in the imagination. Avoid using it to describe something that is merely unlikely or improbable.

Common error

Don't mistake a "figment" for a potential reality. A "figment" is purely imaginary, whereas a 'potential reality' might be improbable, but still grounded in possibility.

Linguistic Context

The term "figment" functions primarily as a noun, denoting something that exists only in the imagination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a fabrication, fantasy, or invention without factual basis. The examples highlight its use in various contexts to emphasize the unreality of a concept or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "figment" is a noun that describes something existing purely in the imagination, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. When writing with "figment", make sure you are referring to something totally unreal. Consider alternatives like "fantasy" or "illusion" to fine-tune your meaning. Avoid mistaking a "figment" for a potential reality. According to examples from Ludwig, major authoritative sources like The Economist and The New Yorker often use the word in their publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fantasy

This alternative refers to a creation of the imagination, often an extravagant or fanciful one.

illusion

This alternative refers to something that deceives by producing a false impression of reality.

fabrication

This alternative emphasizes the act of inventing something, often with deceitful intent.

mere invention

This alternative places additional emphasis on the imaginative or fabricated nature of something.

delusion

This alternative suggests a false belief or judgment that is resistant to reason or evidence.

phantom

This alternative implies something that appears to exist but is not actually real, like a ghost.

invention

This alternative suggests something created or devised, which may or may not be real.

chimera

This alternative refers to a thing that is hoped or wished for but in fact is illusory or impossible to achieve.

hallucination

This alternative suggests a sensory perception that occurs in the absence of an external stimulus.

pipe dream

This alternative describes a hope or plan that is impossible to achieve.

FAQs

How can I use "figment" in a sentence?

"Figment" typically describes something unreal or imaginary. For example, "The monster under the bed was just a figment of his imagination."

What can I say instead of "figment"?

You can use alternatives like "fantasy", "illusion", or "fabrication" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "figment" a positive or negative term?

"Figment" is generally neutral, simply indicating something unreal. However, it can take on a negative connotation when used to dismiss or invalidate someone's beliefs or experiences.

What's the difference between "figment" and "dream"?

While both relate to imagination, a "dream" can be a hope or aspiration. A "figment" is strictly an invention or fabrication with no basis in reality.