Definition
A notion is an idea held in the mind — sometimes a full belief, sometimes only a hazy impression. The word is flexible: philosophers discuss the notion of justice quite seriously, while everyday speech uses it for half-formed thoughts ('I had a vague notion of becoming a pilot'). It often appears with a skeptical edge: to 'reject the notion that…' is a standard way of dismissing an idea as mistaken or naive.
Examples
- He firmly rejected the notion that success is simply a matter of luck.
- The notion of a four-day working week has moved from fringe idea to serious policy debate.
- She had only a vague notion of what the job would actually involve.
Synonyms
idea · concept · belief · impression · conception
In TOEFL & IELTS
A high-frequency academic noun in both exams, usually in argument structures: authors 'challenge', 'dismiss', or 'support the notion that…'. Spotting these verbs around 'notion' tells you the writer's stance — gold for TOEFL rhetorical-purpose questions and IELTS Yes/No/Not Given items. In your own essays, 'the notion that X' is a clean way to introduce a view before agreeing or refuting.