idea

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

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

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 (such 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

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idealess

play \ī-ˈdē-ə-ləs, -ˈdēə- also ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə- or ˈī-dē-\ adjective

See idea defined for English-language learners

See idea defined for kids

Examples of idea in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of idea from the Web

Researching and doing some homework is never a bad idea.

— sophie saint thomas, Allure, "9 Myths About Witchcraft That Modern-Day Witches Like Me Are Tired of Hearing," 5 Apr. 2018
Over the past year, Cotten has had several families ask him whether putting their preemie on antibiotics is a good idea—a question he hadn't heard in almost 30 years on the job.

— marla broadfoot, Science | AAAS, "Too many antibiotics can give preemies a lifetime of ill health," 5 Apr. 2018
This was a politically genius idea on several levels.

— anne thériault, Longreads, "Queens of Infamy: Eleanor of Aquitaine," 4 Apr. 2018
Watch Blunt talk about this yourself in the video, below: In all seriousness, a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, which came out in 2006, isn't a completely far-fetched idea.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Emily Blunt Is Down for a 'Devil Wears Prada' Sequel. That's All.," 4 Apr. 2018
Other years, Mattison has a good idea of his depth chart after spring.

— orion sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football's Greg Mattison lauds players during spring ball," 4 Apr. 2018
According to Simon Pegg, Abrams had a different idea.

— jaya saxena, GQ, "Star Wars: J.J. Abrams Maybe Didn’t Want Rey’s Parents To Be Nobodies," 4 Apr. 2018
Dolphins continue lining up visits The names are starting to surface and a better idea of who the Dolphins are interested in from the 2018 draft class is starting to take shape.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "The playoff spot is locked, but the Heat still has work to do in final four games | Miami Herald," 4 Apr. 2018
Unless a player decides to transfer, Oregon heads into the offseason having a pretty good idea of who will take the court next fall when practices resume.

— tyson alger, OregonLive.com, "Troy Brown Jr. leaves Oregon early, declares for NBA Draft," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idea.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of idea

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

idea Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

actuality, fact, reality;

preconception, prejudice, prepossession;

delusion, hallucination, illusion, phantasm (also fantasm);

caprice, conceit, fancy, vagary, whim;

cognition, observation, perception, reflection;

assumption, belief, conclusion, conviction;

conjecture, guess, hunch, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmise, theory;

brainchild, brainstorm, brain wave, inspiration;

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

IDEA Defined for English Language Learners

idea

noun

Definition of idea for English Language Learners

: a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do
: an opinion or belief
: something that you imagine or picture in your mind

IDEA Defined for Kids

idea

noun \ ī-ˈdē-ə \

Definition of idea for Students

1 : a thought or plan about what to do

Surprising her was a bad idea.

2 : something imagined or pictured in the mind I had an idea of what the town was like.

3 : an understanding of something

I have no idea what you mean.

4 : a central meaning or purpose

The idea of the game is to keep from getting caught.

5 : an opinion or belief

What gave you that idea?

Medical Dictionary

idea

noun \ ī-ˈdē-ə , ˈīd-(ˌ)ē-ə \

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

Learn More about idea

See words that rhyme with idea Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for idea Spanish Central: Translation of idea Nglish: Translation of idea for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of idea for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about idea

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idea

Definition of idea

idealess

Examples of idea in a Sentence

Recent Examples of idea from the Web

Origin and Etymology of idea

idea Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of idea

IDEA Defined for English Language Learners

idea

Definition of idea for English Language Learners

IDEA Defined for Kids

idea

Definition of idea for Students

Medical Dictionary

idea

medical Definition of idea

Learn More about idea

Seen and Heard

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