ideal

American  

[ahy-dee-uhl, ahy-deel] / aɪˈdi əl, aɪˈdil /

noun

• ideals
  plural

1. a conception of something in its perfection.

   Synonyms:

   epitome

2. a standard of perfection or excellence.

   Synonyms:

   epitome

3. 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.

4. an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, especially one of high or noble character.

   He refuses to compromise any of his ideals.

   Synonyms:

   objective, intention

5. something that exists only in the imagination.

   To achieve the ideal is almost hopeless.

6. 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.

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adjective

1. conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence.

   ideal beauty.

   Synonyms:

   complete, consummate, perfect

2. regarded as perfect of its kind.

   an ideal spot for a home.

3. existing only in the imagination; not real or actual.

   Nature is real; beauty is ideal.

   Synonyms:

   fantastic, fanciful, imaginary, illusory

4. advantageous; excellent; best.

   It would be ideal if she could accompany us as she knows the way.

5. based upon an ideal or ideals.

   the ideal theory of numbers.

6. Philosophy.

   1. pertaining to a possible state of affairs considered as highly desirable.

   2. pertaining to or of the nature of idealism.

ideal British  

/ aɪˈdɪəl, ˌaɪdɪˈælɪtɪ /

noun

1. a conception of something that is perfect, esp that which one seeks to attain

2. a person or thing considered to represent perfection

   he's her ideal

3. something existing only as an idea

4. a pattern or model, esp of ethical behaviour

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adjective

1. conforming to an ideal

2. of, involving, or existing in the form of an idea

3. philosophy

   1. of or relating to a highly desirable and possible state of affairs

   2. of or relating to idealism

Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

• ideality
  noun
• idealness
  noun
• quasi-ideal
  adjective
• subideal
  adjective
• superideal
  adjective
• unideal
  adjective
• ideally
  adverb
• quasi-ideally
  adverb
• superideally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ideals
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ideal

From the Late Latin word ideālis, dating back to 1605–15. See idea, -al ¹

Explanation

An ideal is a model of something perfect or without equal. As an adjective, ideal describes this ultimate standard for excellence, or something that exists only as an idea. When we talk about what's ideal, we often refer to a best-case scenario (it would be ideal if you were well-rested before your exam); what we're striving for (it would be ideal for all children to receive an education); or some idea of perfection (the ideal date would be dinner with your favorite movie star). If you have high ideals, you have very strong beliefs about what is good and right, and maybe even how best to save the world.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ideal ideals

The prolonged hot weather created ideal conditions for the subtropical species to reproduce naturally, as the sand retained heat accumulated during the day.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Iron was designed with a human-like form and movements that Gu said makes it ideal for use in offices and residences.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

More than four in 10 Gen Z adults, 44%, say either full-time or part-time content creation is the ideal career, according to a Morning Consult survey.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

But to the market and some of the people who run its stalls and booths, the last-minute Malibu switcheroo was less than ideal.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026

The instruction was intended to assimilate Mollie into white society and transform her into what the authorities conceived of as the ideal woman.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Those who stand up for their ideals and principles without compromise, and seek to communicate them clearly, certainly won’t win every election, and they may well suffer for their convictions.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

He could have made something that shimmers, a piece of true pop that expresses repellent ideals.

From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026

"We had to rebuild our lives from scratch," De Zerbi told Lamrani, who says the Italian remains "true to the ideals of his youth and to his working-class roots".

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Wilde found further inspiration in Araki’s own fortitude, his steadfastness to his ideals and how it sets him apart from many other filmmakers who parlayed early indie cred into payday careerism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Many of Lenin’s modern ideals stayed in place as Josef Stalin first took over leadership of the USSR.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• excellent
• fitting
• optimal
• quintessential