What is image? Pronunciation and usage in English

image means . Learn how to pronounce and use image through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of image

imagenoun

/ˈɪmɪdʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of image

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "image" in English. Here's a breakdown and some tips:

The Standard Pronunciation (American & British):

  • ih-MAJ (rhymes with "mayor")

Let's break that down further:

  • "i": Pronounced like the "i" in "bit" or "sit". A short, crisp "i" sound.
  • "m": Pronounced as you'd expect - like the letter "m."
  • "a": Pronounced like the "a" in "father" or "car."
  • "ge": Pronounced as "j" – like the beginning of “judge”.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable ("MAJ"). This is the most important thing to get right.
  • Don’t over-elongate: It's a relatively quick, clipped pronunciation.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "image" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (This is a reliable starting point).
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/image/ - This website provides audio pronunciations from native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce image" on YouTube – you’ll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Common Mistakes:

  • Saying "i-maj": This is the most common mistake. Remember the "MAJ" emphasis.
  • Adding an extra "e" at the end: (e.g., "image-e") - This is incorrect.

Do you want me to:

  • Record myself saying "image"?
  • Give you some more example words to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word image in English

Let's break down how to use the word "image" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. Visual Representation (Most Common)

  • Definition: A picture, a drawing, a photograph, or a visual representation of something.
  • Examples:
    • "I took a beautiful image of the sunset." (a photograph)
    • "The artist created a detailed image of a landscape." (a drawing)
    • "The image on the screen was blurry." (an electronic representation)
    • “She posted a new image on her Instagram.”

2. Impression or Idea (Figurative)

  • Definition: A mental picture or feeling someone has about something or someone. It’s the overall impression or how something appears to be.
  • Examples:
    • "He has a good image as a reliable businessman." (a positive reputation)
    • “The advertisement created a romantic image of the company’s product.” (a desired feeling)
    • "Her image of the city was completely wrong." (her mental picture)
    • “The government is trying to improve its image with the public.” (its public perception)

3. As a Verb (To Create or Project an Image)

  • Definition: To create a particular impression or appearance.
  • Examples:
    • "The company is trying to image a brand that is both innovative and trustworthy." (to create an impression)
    • “The movie images a dystopian future.” (to depict visually)
    • “He’s desperately trying to image himself as a successful athlete.” (to project an image)

4. In Technology (Scanning & Reproduction)

  • Definition: Specifically in photography and computer science, “image” refers to the digitized version of an image, often used in scanning or printing.
  • Examples:
    • "The scanner produced a high-resolution image of the document."
    • “The digital image was corrupted.”

5. In Psychology (Projected Self-Concept)

  • Definition: (More advanced) This refers to how a person perceives themselves, which then influences how they present themselves to others. It’s tied to self-concept, self-esteem, and identity.
  • Example: "His image of himself as a comedian is different from how people actually perceive him."

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun Visual Picture "Take a picture of the image."
Noun Mental Impression "He has a good image of her."
Verb To Create an Impression "They want to image a strong brand."
Noun (Tech) Digitized Representation “The image was saved to the file.”

Tips for Using "Image" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to how the word is being used in the sentence to understand its specific meaning.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like “picture,” “representation,” “impression,” “perception,” or “appearance” to avoid repetition and to be more precise.
  • Figurative language: Be mindful when using "image" in a figurative sense – it's often about conveying an overall feeling or idea, not just a literal picture.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using the word “image” in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, solving a problem in a textbook?)

Synonyms for the word image

Idioms of the word image

be the image of somebody/something
to look very like somebody/something else
  • He's the image of his father.

Practice with vocabulary image

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The high-resolution camera captured a stunning ______ of the distant nebula.
  2. It's crucial for any professional to maintain a positive ______ in the workplace.
  3. The architect presented a detailed ______ of the proposed building's layout.
  4. The market research aimed to understand consumer ______ of the new product line.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. To effectively convey the product's design, the presentation included high-quality ______. A) data B) graphics C) descriptions D) images E) visuals

  2. The public relations department worked tirelessly to improve the company's ______ after the recent controversies. A) profits B) reputation C) standing D) image E) efficiency

  3. When brainstorming the new campaign, the team aimed to create a striking mental ______ of innovation and progress. A) abstract B) notion C) picture D) image

  4. The latest market research sought to gather insights into customer ______ regarding the new eco-friendly packaging. A) opinions B) feedback C) perceptions D) statistics E) views

  5. To ensure the project's success, a thorough ______ of all potential risks was conducted. A) assessment B) evaluation C) analysis D) appraisal E) review

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. After the product recall, the company needed to carefully manage how it was perceived by the public. (Use "image")
  2. The author's descriptive language painted a very clear picture of the character's internal struggles. (Use "imagery")
  3. The detailed technical drawing provided an exact representation of the machine's components. (Do NOT use "image")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. image
  2. image
  3. diagram
  4. perception

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B, D, E (graphics, images, visuals)
  2. B, C, D (reputation, standing, image)
  3. C, D (picture, image)
  4. A, C, E (opinions, perceptions, views)
  5. A, B, C, D, E (assessment, evaluation, analysis, appraisal, review)

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. After the product recall, the company needed to carefully manage its public image.
  2. The author's descriptive language created vivid imagery of the character's internal struggles.
  3. The detailed technical diagram provided an exact representation of the machine's components.

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