Vocabulary Spotlight
Chimera
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A mythical creature composed of parts from various animals; a thing that is hoped for but is impossible to achieve or exists only in the imagination.
“The idea of a perfect society is often considered a chimera.”
Pronunciation
[ki-meer-uh]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Illusion
Delusion
Fiction
Dream
Antonyms
Truth
Fact
Existence
Certainty
Related Words
Myth (noun)
Daydream (noun)
Word Origin
The word “chimera” originates from Greek mythology, where it referred to a monstrous creature with the body of a lion, the head of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Over time, it came to mean any illusory or impossible idea.
Word Family
Noun: Chimera – A mythical creature or an impossible idea.
Adjective: Chimeric – Related to or characteristic of a chimera.
Adjective: Chimerical – Imaginative or fanciful, often to the point of being impossible.
Mnemonics
Think “chimera” sounds like “camera” capturing a fantasy — something imaginative, not real.
Industry-specific Usage
Genetics
In genetics, a chimera refers to an organism with cells from two different genetic origins, often studied in biomedical research.
Literature
In literature, a chimera can symbolize an unrealistic goal or an impossible ideal pursued by characters.
Mythology
In mythology, the chimera is depicted as a legendary creature representing chaos or unpredictability.
In Context
In modern language, a chimera often represents a far-fetched hope or impossible dream. It symbolizes pursuits that may be beautiful but are ultimately unrealistic or beyond reach.