ideal
Americannoun
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a conception of something in its perfection.
- Synonyms:
- epitome
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a standard of perfection or excellence.
- Synonyms:
- epitome
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a person or thing conceived as embodying such a conception or conforming to such a standard, and taken as a model for imitation.
Thomas Jefferson was his ideal.
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an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, especially one of high or noble character.
He refuses to compromise any of his ideals.
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something that exists only in the imagination.
To achieve the ideal is almost hopeless.
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Mathematics. a subring of a ring, any element of which when multiplied by any element of the ring results in an element of the subring.
adjective
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conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence.
ideal beauty.
- Synonyms:
- complete, consummate, perfect
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regarded as perfect of its kind.
an ideal spot for a home.
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existing only in the imagination; not real or actual.
Nature is real; beauty is ideal.
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advantageous; excellent; best.
It would be ideal if she could accompany us as she knows the way.
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based upon an ideal or ideals.
the ideal theory of numbers.
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Philosophy.
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pertaining to a possible state of affairs considered as highly desirable.
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pertaining to or of the nature of idealism.
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noun
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a conception of something that is perfect, esp that which one seeks to attain
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a person or thing considered to represent perfection
he's her ideal
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something existing only as an idea
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a pattern or model, esp of ethical behaviour
adjective
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conforming to an ideal
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of, involving, or existing in the form of an idea
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philosophy
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of or relating to a highly desirable and possible state of affairs
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of or relating to idealism
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Related Words
Ideal, example, model refer to something considered as a standard to strive toward or something considered worthy of imitation. An ideal is a concept or standard of perfection, existing merely as an image in the mind, or based upon a person or upon conduct: We admire the high ideals of a religious person. Sir Philip Sidney was considered the ideal in gentlemanly conduct. An example is a person or the conduct or achievements of a person regarded as worthy of being followed or imitated in a general way; or sometimes, as properly to be avoided: an example of courage; a bad example to one's children. A model is primarily a physical shape to be closely copied, but is also a pattern for exact imitation in conduct or character: They took their leader as a model.
Other Word Forms
- ideality noun
- ideally adverb
- idealness noun
- quasi-ideal adjective
- quasi-ideally adverb
- subideal adjective
- superideal adjective
- superideally adverb
- unideal adjective
Etymology
Origin of ideal
From the Late Latin word ideālis, dating back to 1605–15. See idea, -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That wing is also home to two full bathrooms, ideal for guests.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026
But the group yields less than 1%, and those management teams are more likely to buy back stock than pay dividends, which, while fine, isn’t ideal for traditional income investors.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
Instead of pointing to one ideal running technique, it argues that speed develops from the interaction between an athlete's body, their environment, and their training background.
From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026
Clover has been recovering well at the zoo and is getting close to her ideal body weight for her age.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
“A brief summary and succinct explanation, the theoretical ideal, if you will, behind our position.”
From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
