idea

idea

noun \ī-ˈdē-ə, -ˈdēə also ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə or ˈī-dē\

Definition of IDEA

1

a : a transcendent entity that is a real pattern of which existing things are imperfect representations

b : a standard of perfection : ideal

c : a plan for action : design

2

archaic : a visible representation of a conception : a replica of a pattern

3

a obsolete : an image recalled by memory

b : an indefinite or unformed conception

c : an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness

4

: a formulated thought or opinion

5

: whatever is known or supposed about something <a child's idea of time>

6

: the central meaning or chief end of a particular action or situation

7

Christian Science : an image in Mind

— idea·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of IDEA

1. My idea is to study law.
2. Starting her own business seemed like a good idea at the time, but it turned out badly.
3. Whose idea was it to leave so early?
4. My idea was that if we left early we could beat the crowd.
5. Buying the car was a bad idea.
6. I have some ideas for redecorating the room.
7. He has an idea for a movie.
8. I'm not sure what to do next. Do you have any ideas?
9. She's always full of new ideas.
10. It's a good idea to talk to people who have actually been there.

Origin of IDEA

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, from idein to see — more at wit

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to IDEA

Synonyms

abstraction, cogitation, concept, conception, image, impression, intellection, mind's eye, notion, picture, thought

Related Words

apprehension, premonition, presentiment; preconception, prejudice, prepossession; chimera, delusion, hallucination, illusion, phantasm (also fantasm); caprice, conceit, fancy, freak, kink, vagary, whim; cognition, observation, perception, reflection; assumption, belief, conclusion, conviction; conjecture, guess, hunch, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmise, theory; brainchild, brainstorm, brain wave, inspiration

Near Antonyms

actuality, fact, reality

Synonym Discussion of IDEA

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed <innovative ideas> <my idea of paradise>. concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be <a society with no concept of private property>. conception is often interchangeable with concept ; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result <our changing conception of what constitutes art>. thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining <commit your thoughts to paper>. notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental <you have the oddest notions>. impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses <the first impression is of soaring height>.

Rhymes with IDEA

Achaea, Bahia, buddleia, cabrilla, cattleya, Chaldea, Crimea, Euboea, Hygeia, Judaea, kaffiyeh, Korea, Medea, mens rea, Nicaea, ohia, Oriya, ouguiya, rupiah, sangria, Sofia, spirea

idea

noun \ī-ˈdē-ə, ˈīd-(ˌ)ē-ə\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of IDEA

1

: an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness

2

: a formulated thought or opinion