Imaginary or fanciful (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: UNREAL (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Imaginary or fanciful" with 6 letters is "UNREAL".Unreal refers to something that is imaginary, fantastical, or not based in reality, often used to describe things that seem too strange or extraordinary to be true. It can also describe something that appears dreamlike or surreal, defying the expectations of the real world.
Why “Unreal” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning “imaginary or fanciful.” The answer, UNREAL, fits perfectly:
- Imaginary or fanciful: Unreal describes something that exists only in imagination or appears too strange, extraordinary, or dreamlike to be real. This definition aligns directly with the clue.
- Direct match: With six letters, unreal fits the clue’s enumeration exactly.
- Precise meaning: The word conveys a sense of illusion, unreality, or impossibility — making it a perfect synonym for “imaginary” or “fanciful.”
Unreal is a versatile word used in both literal and figurative contexts:
- Origin and usage: Derived from the prefix un‑ (meaning “not”) plus real, the word literally means “not real.” It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century, mainly in philosophical, artistic, and psychological contexts to describe illusion or nonexistence.
Contexts:
- Literal: Describing something imaginary or non-physical — “The dream felt real, but it was unreal.”
- Figurative: Expressing astonishment or admiration — “That film was unreal!” or “Her performance was unreal.”
- Philosophical or abstract: Refers to illusion or false perception of reality — “He had trouble distinguishing the real from the unreal.”
Examples:
- “The painter’s landscapes depict unreal, dreamlike worlds.”
- “The special effects made the movie look utterly unreal.”
- “It felt unreal to finally win the award.”
In quick crosswords like “imaginary or fanciful (6)”, solvers are expected to think of adjectives describing illusion or imagination:
- Possible alternatives include dreamy (6) or fantasy (7), but unreal is the most natural and direct synonym, fitting both tone and length.
- The pairing “imaginary or fanciful” suggests a broad, conceptual word rather than something specific, immediately pointing to unreal.
- Clues that use the word “fanciful” often indicate something detached from reality, helping solvers link directly to unreal.
