ideally

[ ahy-dee-uh-lee ]

adverb

1. in accordance with an ideal; perfectly.
2. in an ideal world; in principle; theoretically.
3. in idea, thought, or imagination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ideally¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; ideal + -ly

Example Sentences

Getting out of the city, though, is even better — ideally, as far from home as possible.

From Washington Post

I prefer to meet people organically, ideally while doing things we both enjoy.

From Washington Blade

The World Health Organization recommends the public use fabric masks, ideally with three layers.

From Washington Post

The network is low-power and low-bandwidth, meaning it’s ideally suited for situations that require relatively low amounts of data transfer, but on a regular frequency over very long durations.

From TechCrunch

Computer scientists have been harnessing its power for decades, resulting in gas nozzles to satellite antennas that are ideally suited to their function, for instance.

From Singularity Hub 

Ideally, Kerry would like to see the UN issue deferred until after the March Israeli elections.

From The Daily Beast

Ideally, when beginning a new war like Obama is doing now, the president would ask Congress to declare it.

From The Daily Beast

Plan as little possible – ideally just a beginning and an end, plus some advance reading.

From The Daily Beast

It is during this time that many discover the underlying reasons for their addiction, and, ideally, work through them.

From The Daily Beast

Ideally, the first wave of vehicles would have created a wall of smoke to hide the waves landing behind them.

From The Daily Beast

Gradual development on the basis of the beliefs outlined of an ideally pure and immaculate Model Woman.

From Project Gutenberg

There is something else which, like Susanna Crum's name, is absolutely and ideally right!

From Project Gutenberg

The life within is the ideally tranquil existence of an English country gentleman.

From Project Gutenberg

But in any case there is no recipe by means of which one can attain to what is called the ideally beautiful.

From Project Gutenberg

He loved her dearly, though perhaps rather ideally and fancifully than with the impassioned thoroughness of her feeling for him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appealingly
• attractively
• charmingly
• delightfully
• elegantly
• exquisitely
• gorgeously
• gracefully
• handsomely
• magnificently
• seductively
• splendidly
• sublimely
• superbly
• tastefully
• wonderfully