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.
an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, especially one of high or noble character: He refuses to compromise any of his ideals.
something that exists only in the imagination: To achieve the ideal is almost hopeless.
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
conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence: ideal beauty.
regarded as perfect of its kind: an ideal spot for a home.
existing only in the imagination; not real or actual: Nature is real; beauty is ideal.
advantageous; excellent; best: It would be ideal if she could accompany us as she knows the way.
based upon an ideal or ideals: the ideal theory of numbers.
Philosophy.
pertaining to a possible state of affairs considered as highly desirable.
1, 2. 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.
early 15c., "pertaining to an archetype or model," from Late Latin idealis "existing in idea," from Latin idea in the Platonic sense (see idea). Sense of "perfect" first recorded 1610s.
n.
"perfect person or thing," 1796, in a translation of Kant, from ideal (adj.).
