ideal

¹ide·al

adjective \ī-ˈdē(-ə)l, ˈī-ˌ\

Definition of IDEAL

1

: existing as an archetypal idea

2

a : existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only; broadly : lacking practicality

b : relating to or constituting mental images, ideas, or conceptions

3

a : of, relating to, or embodying an ideal <ideal beauty>

b : conforming exactly to an ideal, law, or standard : perfect <an ideal gas> — compare real 2b(3)

4

: of or relating to philosophical idealism

Examples of IDEAL

1. It was an ideal spot for a vacation.
2. She is an ideal candidate for the job.
3. The conference provided us with an ideal opportunity to meet new people.

Origin of IDEAL

Middle English ydeall, from Late Latin idealis, from Latin idea

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to IDEAL

Synonyms

conceptual, abstract, ideational, metaphysical, notional, theoretical (also theoretic)

Antonyms

concrete, nonabstract

Related Words

conjectural, hypothetical, speculative; cosmic (also cosmical), intellectual, mental, spiritual; ethereal, immaterial, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, unsubstantial; impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible; impractical, romantic, transcendent, transcendental, unreal, utopian, visionary

Near Antonyms

material, physical; appreciable, detectable, discernible (also discernable), noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, sensible, substantial, tangible, visible; defined, definite, distinct; actual, factual, real

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

²ideal

noun

Definition of IDEAL

1

: a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence

2

: one regarded as exemplifying an ideal and often taken as a model for imitation

3

: an ultimate object or aim of endeavor : goal

4

: a subset of a mathematical ring that is closed under addition and subtraction and contains the products of any given element of the subset with each element of the ring

— ide·al·less \ī-ˈdē(-ə)l-ləs\ adjective

Examples of IDEAL

1. an ideal of romantic love
2. He hasn't lived up to his high ideals.
3. She considers the actress her ideal.

First Known Use of IDEAL

15th century

Related to IDEAL

Synonyms

beau ideal, classic, eidolon, exemplar, idea, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, paragon, patron saint

Related Words

role model; embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification, phantom, pink; archetype, example, mirror, paradigm, pattern; guideline, principle, rule; gauge (also gage), standard, touchstone; essence, quintessence; acme, apex, apotheosis, culmination, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith

Near Antonyms

means, method, way

See Synonym Discussion at model

Rhymes with IDEAL

aiguille, all-wheel, anneal, appeal, big deal, big wheel, bilge keel, bonemeal, bonspiel, cam wheel, Castile, cartwheel, chainwheel, chenille, cogwheel, conceal, congeal, cornmeal, done deal, eared seal, enwheel, fifth wheel, fish meal, flywheel, forefeel, for real, four-wheel, freewheel, fur seal, genteel, get real, good deal, great seal, handwheel, harp seal, inchmeal, mild steel, mill wheel, misdeal, mobile, Mobile, monk seal, mouthfeel, New Deal, newsreel, nosewheel, oatmeal, O'Neal, pastille, piecemeal, pinwheel, prayer wheel, raw deal, repeal, reveal, schlemiel, self-heal, side-wheel, singspiel, somedeal, spike heel, stabile, tahsil, Tar Heel, thumbwheel, unreel, unseal, worm wheel