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chimera

Noun

IPA /kaɪˈmɪərə/

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Meaning in plain English

An attractive idea or hope that cannot realistically be achieved.

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Pronunciation

chimera/kaɪˈmɪərə/

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Someone dreams of success without effort
There is no realistic way to achieve it
The hope remains impossible

Effortless success can be a chimera: an attractive but unrealistic hope.

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Examples in context

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A holiday with no queues, no costs and perfect weather seemed a chimera.
The researchers warned that a completely error-free forecast was a chimera.

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A holiday with no queues, no costs and perfect weather seemed a ________.

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chimera — An attractive idea or hope that cannot realistically be achieved.

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An attractive idea or hope that cannot realistically be achieved.

Compare: A holiday with no queues, no costs and perfect weather seemed a chimera.

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Word origin

Through Latin from Greek khimaira, the name of a mythical creature.

Did you know?

Chimera also names a creature from Greek mythology; the impossible-hope meaning is figurative.

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