ideal
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i·de·al
(ī-dē′əl, ī-dēl′)n.
1. A conception of something in its absolute perfection: the ideal of national unity.
2. One that is regarded as a standard or model of perfection or excellence: The restaurant is considered the ideal in fine dining.
3. An ultimate or worthy object of endeavor; a goal: "those who regarded even a rhetorical commitment to the ideal of disarmament as irresponsibly utopian" (James Carroll).
adj.
1. Conforming to a standard of perfection or excellence; perfect or highly satisfactory: an ideal work environment.
2.
a. Existing only in the mind; imaginary: an ideal world where everything works out fine.
b. Lacking practicality or the possibility of realization: an ideal notion of how businesses are run.
3. Philosophy
a. Existing as an archetype or pattern, especially as a Platonic idea or perception: the ideal forms.
b. Of or relating to idealism.
[From Middle English, pertaining to the divine archetypes of things, from Late Latin ideālis, from Latin idea, idea; see idea.]
Synonyms: ideal, exemplar, model, standard, pattern
These nouns refer to someone or something worthy of imitation or duplication. An ideal represents a sometimes unattainable level of perfection: "Comic book heroes played a major part in shaping my boyhood ideal of manliness" (Theodore Roszak).
An exemplar, like a model, serves as a worthy example by being the best or most admirable of its class: "He is indeed the perfect exemplar of all nobleness" (Jane Porter)."Our fellow countryman is a model of a man" (Charles Dickens).
A standard is a basis of comparison or judgment: "Alexander's conquests created a legend that would provide the standard by which other leaders measured their careers" (Eugene N. Borza).
A pattern is an example worthy of imitation by reason of being an original or essential form of something: "I will be the pattern of all patience" (Shakespeare).
These nouns refer to someone or something worthy of imitation or duplication. An ideal represents a sometimes unattainable level of perfection: "Comic book heroes played a major part in shaping my boyhood ideal of manliness" (Theodore Roszak).
An exemplar, like a model, serves as a worthy example by being the best or most admirable of its class: "He is indeed the perfect exemplar of all nobleness" (Jane Porter)."Our fellow countryman is a model of a man" (Charles Dickens).
A standard is a basis of comparison or judgment: "Alexander's conquests created a legend that would provide the standard by which other leaders measured their careers" (Eugene N. Borza).
A pattern is an example worthy of imitation by reason of being an original or essential form of something: "I will be the pattern of all patience" (Shakespeare).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ideal
(aɪˈdɪəl)n
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
adj
5. conforming to an ideal
6. of, involving, or existing in the form of an idea
7. (Philosophy) philosophy
a. of or relating to a highly desirable and possible state of affairs
b. of or relating to idealism
ideality n
iˈdeally adv
iˈdealness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
i•de•al
(aɪˈdi əl, aɪˈdil)n.
1. a conception of something in its perfection.
2. a standard of perfection or excellence.
3. a person or thing conceived as embodying such a conception or standard and taken as a model for imitation.
4. an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, esp. one of high or noble character: to compromise one's ideals.
5. something that exists only in the imagination.
adj. 6. conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence: ideal beauty.
7. regarded as perfect of its kind: an ideal spot for a home.
8. existing only in the imagination; not real or actual.
9. excellent; best.
10. based upon an ideal or ideals.
11. Philos.
a. pertaining to a possible state of affairs considered as highly desirable.
b. pertaining to or of the nature of idealism.
[1605–15; < Late Latin ideālis]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | ideal - the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain idea, thought - the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about; "it was not a good idea"; "the thought never entered my mind" value - an ideal accepted by some individual or group; "he has old-fashioned values" criterion, standard - the ideal in terms of which something can be judged; "they live by the standards of their community" exemplar, good example, example, model - something to be imitated; "an exemplar of success"; "a model of clarity"; "he is the very model of a modern major general" ego ideal - (psychoanalysis) the part of the ego that contains an ideal of personal excellence toward which a person strives |
| 2. | ideal - model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal role model, model - someone worthy of imitation; "every child needs a role model" class act - someone who shows impressive and stylish excellence humdinger - someone of remarkable excellence; "a humdinger of a secretary" | |
| Adj. | 1. | ideal - conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal perfect - being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish; "a perfect circle"; "a perfect reproduction"; "perfect happiness"; "perfect manners"; "a perfect specimen"; "a perfect day" |
| 2. | ideal - constituting or existing only in the form of an idea or mental image or conception; "a poem or essay may be typical of its period in idea or ideal content" abstract - existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment; "abstract words like `truth' and `justice'" | |
| 3. | ideal - of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
ideal
noun
1. (often plural) principle, standard, ideology, morals, conviction, integrity, scruples, probity, moral value, rectitude, sense of duty, sense of honour, uprightness The party has drifted too far from its socialist ideals.
2. epitome, standard, dream, pattern, perfection, last word, paragon, nonpareil, standard of perfection Throughout his career she remained his feminine ideal.
adjective
1. perfect, best, model, classic, supreme, ultimate, archetypal, exemplary, consummate, optimal, quintessential She decided I was the ideal person to take over this job.
perfect flawed, deficient, imperfect, impaired, unsuitable
perfect flawed, deficient, imperfect, impaired, unsuitable
2. imaginary, impractical, Utopian, romantic, fantastic, fabulous, poetic, visionary, fairy-tale, mythical, unreal, fanciful, unattainable, ivory-towered, imagal (Psychoanalysis) Their ideal society collapsed around them in revolution.
imaginary real, ordinary, actual, mundane, factual, literal
imaginary real, ordinary, actual, mundane, factual, literal
3. hypothetical, academic, intellectual, abstract, theoretical, speculative, conceptual, metaphysical, transcendental, notional an ideal economic world
Quotations
"The ideal has many names, and beauty is but one of them" [W. Somerset Maugham Cakes and Ale]
"The ideal has many names, and beauty is but one of them" [W. Somerset Maugham Cakes and Ale]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
ideal
noun1. One that is worthy of imitation or duplication:
2. A fervent hope, wish, or goal:
2. Existing only in concept and not in reality:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
شَخْص مِثالي، مَثَل أعلىمِثاليمِثَالِيٌّمُثُل عُليا
ideálníideál
ideelforbilledeideal
ihanteellinenoptimaalinenideaaliideaalinenihanne
idealan
eszményiideálideálisképzelttökéletes
ideal
fullkominnfyrirmyndímynd hins fullkomna
理想的な
이상적인
idealasidealiaiidealistasidealistinisidealizavimas
ideālspilnīgs
ideálideálny
idealen
ideal
ดีเลิศ
lý tưởng
ideal
[aɪˈdɪəl]A. ADJ [opportunity, weight, conditions, solution] → ideal
we do not live in an ideal world → no vivimos en un mundo ideal
he is the ideal person for the job → es la persona ideal para el puesto
an ideal place to live → un sitio ideal para vivir
we do not live in an ideal world → no vivimos en un mundo ideal
he is the ideal person for the job → es la persona ideal para el puesto
an ideal place to live → un sitio ideal para vivir
B. N → ideal m
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
ideal
adj → ideal; ideal solution → Ideallösung f; ideal weight → Idealgewicht nt; he is ideal or the ideal person for the job → er ist für den Job ideal geeignet; the plants are ideal for growing in the home → die Pflanzen eignen sich ideal als Zimmerpflanzen; in an ideal world → im Idealfall; (philosophical statement) → in einer vollkommenen or idealen Welt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
ideal
(aiˈdiəl) adjective perfect. This tool is ideal for the job I have in mind.
noun1. a person, thing etc that is looked on as being perfect. She was clever and beautiful – in fact she was his ideal of what a wife should be.
2. a person's standard of behaviour etc. a man of high ideals.
iˈdealist noun a person having (too) high ideals of behaviour etc.
iˈdealism nounˌideaˈlistic (aidiə-) adjective
iˈdealize, iˈdealise verb
to regard as perfect. Children tend to idealize their parents.
iˌdealiˈzation, iˌdealiˈsation nouniˈdeally adverb
1. perfectly. He is ideally suited to this job.
2. under perfect conditions. Ideally, we should check this again, but we haven't enough time.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
ideal
→ مِثَالِيٌّ ideální ideel ideal ιδανικός ideal ihanteellinen idéal idealan ideale 理想的な 이상적인 ideaal ideell idealny ideal идеальный ideal ดีเลิศ ideal lý tưởng 理想的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
i·deal
n., a. ideal; perfecto-a.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
ideal
adj idealEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.