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 /

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

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Etymology

Origin of ideal

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

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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

For Nvidia, the company has long been an ideal customer: One that could both reduce its direct exposure to the hyperscalers and wouldn’t ever compete with it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

This describes how the color of an object compares with that of an ideal radiator at a particular temperature.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2026

It’s not because they think it’s ideal, or even OK, says Mundo, who noted he is now senior enough to push back against the time pressure.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

She says the acidic soil creates ideal conditions for the perfect artisan brew.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

Since Fischer’s Worldwide Church of God faith observed the same dietary and many of the Sabbath laws as the Judaic tradition, Grossinger’s was an ideal selection.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

“Japan feels a sense of responsibility to safeguard the ideals of the United Nations as our beacon of hope,” Takaichi said on Tuesday.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

"However, I think deep down, I definitely I lean towards feeling more European in my ideas and ideals."

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

Premodern “portrayals of the face,” Ms. Bound-Alberti writes, “were formulaic and symbolic, representing characters and ideals, or social and religious importance, rather than what a person really looked like.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

“As someone that resonated with futuristic ideals and what the world could be, I really attached to that.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

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Related Words

• excellent
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