# What are the verbs to express imagining the sound , taste and touch of something? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 29, 2023, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270 "2023-08-29T06:19:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Octagon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/2acd7d/32.png) [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/1 "2023-08-29T06:19:46Z")
If to visualize is to form an imagined visual image what verbs describe imagining a sound, taste, smell or touch ? ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/2 "2023-08-29T06:35:44Z")
Anticipate could be used, usually with a few other words. “After returning home from a long walk in the rain, she was anticipating the warmth of the fire.” In the same vein, to look forward (to something). ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/3 "2023-08-29T06:36:54Z")
_Phantosmia_ is the condition where you detect odours which aren’t there. So “Phantosmize”? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/4 "2023-08-29T06:50:37Z")
_Palpable_ means literally touchable, but is used to express imagined feelings: _adjective_ 1. 1. (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible. “a palpable sense of loss” Similar: perceptible perceivable visible noticeable appreciable discernible ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/5 "2023-08-29T14:53:22Z")
How about “imagining”? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/6 "2023-08-29T15:59:52Z")
- Visualize (sight) - Auditorize (sound) - Gustatorize (taste) - Olfactorize (smell) - Tactilize (touch) also … - Vestibularize (balance) - Proprioceptivize (body awareness) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/7 "2023-08-29T17:07:58Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > - Auditorize (sound) > - Gustatorize (taste) > - Olfactorize (smell) > - Tactilize (touch) > > also … > > - Vestibularize (balance) > - Proprioceptivize (body awareness) Nicely done - these _would_ be the words, if they really existed. We don’t tend to construct complex imagined scenarios with the other senses, so perhaps that’s why specific analogues to visualize don’t exist? I wonder if a dog olfactorizes complex environments in its dreams? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/8 "2023-08-29T17:12:58Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > these _would_ be the words, if they really existed. They do now…you heard them here first, folks ! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/9 "2023-08-29T17:15:41Z")
> [@Octagon](#): > > visualize is to form an imagined visual image You’re starting from a false premise. “To visualize” something doesn’t mean “to imagine a visual image.” It encompasses all the senses. If I ask you to visualize a delicious meal, you’re going to think of more than just what it looks like. You’ll think of taste and smell and probably sound and touch as well. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/10 "2023-08-29T17:28:49Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > “To visualize” something doesn’t mean “to imagine a visual image.” It encompasses all the senses. > > If I ask you to visualize a delicious meal… I’m not sure I agree, because I think I find the use of “imagine” much more natural with reference to a delicious meal (encompassing all the senses). Unless you _are_ specifically talking about the visual presentation of the food. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/11 "2023-08-29T17:33:25Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > - Gustatorize (taste) > - Olfactorize (smell) A deep, strong visualization of food may lead to palpable gustorization and olfactorization of the food as well. But if you say ‘visualize the food and imagine its taste and aroma’ then people will know what you are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/12 "2023-08-29T17:34:28Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > If I ask you to visualize a delicious meal, you’re going to think of more than just what it looks like. Especially if it’s whirled peas. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/13 "2023-08-29T17:45:00Z")
So if I asked you to close your eyes and visualize, say, a day at the circus you wouldn’t imagine sound or smell? Literally just a silent image? Maybe I’m the weird one. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/14 "2023-08-29T17:58:23Z")
I think you’re right, and also think @Riemann is correct that ‘imagine’ is a better word to use there. I think ‘visualize’ is used often enough to mean ‘imagine based on any or all of your senses’ that it wouldn’t confuse people. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/15 "2023-08-29T18:03:11Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > So if I asked you to close your eyes and visualize, say, a day at the circus you wouldn’t imagine sound or smell? Literally just a silent image? Of course I would understand what you meant from context, since this is not a situation where emphasizing just the visual aspect would make much sense. But again I think I find “imagine” more natural here. I don’t think it’s clear cut. I agree that visualize _can_ be used as a synonym for imagine, but I also think (depending on context) that it can specifically refer to the visual aspect. With the “delicious meal” example you gave, I think I might be unsure what you meant if you used “visualize”, since visual presentation is something that expert chefs take great care over. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/16 "2023-08-29T21:03:52Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But again I think I find “imagine” more natural here. Sure, I agree. But I wasn’t saying “visualize is the only and/or best word for that purpose.” I’m saying that the word already implies more than just what you can strictly eyeball, which might explain why other “sense imagination” words beyond it never caught on. English is full of stuff like that. You can see that, right? Even though when I say “see” I don’t actually mean “seeing something with your eyes,” but rather “understanding.” But you get the picture, right? Even though I don’t mean a literal picture that you’d look at with your eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Oooklout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ba8739/32.png) [@Oooklout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oooklout)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/17 "2023-08-30T07:13:28Z")
The lack of English words might be cultural, so do other languages have these words? My first suggestion is ‘recall’, it works for all my senses, anyway, particularly for things that happened with the light off 😉 We use ‘…like’ phrases to provoke recall of sensory memory: ‘feel like’, ‘smell like’, ‘taste like’ etc. Example: Touch: as in “does the sea feel like it did yesterday?” Vision so dominates our experience that it’s no surprise that other senses lack expression. Do the visually-impaired have a suitable lexicon? I know people who suffer being asked “Do you see what I mean?” ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-verbs-to-express-imagining-the-sound-taste-and-touch-of-something/989270/18 "2023-08-30T15:52:31Z")
It’s interesting that intangibles are “felt”, not seen. Things like emotional state (unless it becomes outwardly obvious, and then it’s often meant to emphasize how extreme it is – “I could see he was upset” implies the emotional upset was profound and on display). But in general our sensorium is dominated by vision, to the extent that our language is shaped by it. Perception, even figurative perception of abstractions and imaginations, is counted as vision.