ideal
Americannoun
-
a conception of something in its perfection.
- Synonyms:
- epitome
-
a standard of perfection or excellence.
- Synonyms:
- epitome
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- complete, consummate, perfect
-
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.
-
pertaining to or of the nature of idealism.
-
noun
-
a conception of something that is perfect, esp that which one seeks to attain
-
a person or thing considered to represent perfection
he's her ideal
-
something existing only as an idea
-
a pattern or model, esp of ethical behaviour
adjective
-
conforming to an ideal
-
of, involving, or existing in the form of an idea
-
philosophy
-
of or relating to a highly desirable and possible state of affairs
-
of or relating to idealism
-
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
It wasn’t the ideal environment for a scene like this where you would love to hear a pin drop.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Buying, storing and moving digital currencies can pose operational hurdles, even in ideal conditions.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Pasqal’s systems also operate at room temperature, which makes them an ideal fit for data centers, where Bokhari envisions them working alongside GPUs and CPUs.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
“To answer the riddles. I’m no philosopher, and I prefer, in an ideal world, to go uneaten. And you do owe me: for the business with the lampposts.”
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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.
