ideal

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adjective ide·al \ ī-ˈdē(-ə)l , ˈī-ˌdē(-ə)l \

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

See ideal defined for English-language learners

See ideal defined for kids

Examples of ideal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of ideal from the Web

OSU plays five Pac-12 road games, which is less than ideal.

— percy allen, The Seattle Times, "Huskies sitting pretty again in Pac-12, thanks to plenty of talent and easy schedule," 29 Aug. 2017
But for a new president floundering in the polls, the optics are less than ideal.

— james mcauley, chicagotribune.com, "French president Macron has spent $30,000 on makeup services in just 3 months," 25 Aug. 2017
Instead of focusing on truth, learning, and the higher things in life, our elite colleges have turned into pressure cookers designed to churn out the ideal professional.

— noah weinrich, National Review, "The Ivy League Has Lost Sight of What Really Matters," 16 Aug. 2017
According to Watson, the ideal stool has about 75 percent water and 25 percent bacteria and fiber.

— tehrene firman, Redbook, "12 Things Your Poop Says About Your Health," 15 Aug. 2017
The second part was, people saw Mark Zuckerberg as the ideal entrepreneur.

— colleen leahey mckeegan, Marie Claire, "Ellen Pao Broke the Silence About Sexism and Tech—But Her Fight Is Far from Over," 8 Aug. 2017
Newport was the ideal venue for a musician seeking a wider audience, which was precisely what Feather wanted for her.

— Longreads, "The Brief Career and Self-Imposed Exile of Jutta Hipp, Jazz Pianist," 4 Aug. 2017
Folks do manage to get in, but lugging a picnic basket over a chain-link fence is no one’s idea of an ideal Saturday.

— neal broverman, Los Angeles Magazine, "Angels Flight Deserves a More Uplifting Home," 31 July 2017
A dollop of creme fraiche and a thick slice of charred bread are the ideal counterpoints.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Dining at Decca is as illuminating as it is delicious | Review," 26 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of ideal

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

ideal Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

concrete, nonabstract

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

ideal

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

—

idealless

play \ī-ˈdē(-ə)l-ləs\ adjective

See ideal defined for English-language learners

Examples of ideal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of ideal from the Web

Visiting Black Tie Only’s temporary home behind the arena floor Tuesday morning, Arnold expressed concern that the colt’s ears were positioned more widely apart than the industry ideal.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Forged check pays dividends at horse show | Tim Sullivan," 22 Aug. 2017
These events remind us all why vigilance against hate and bigotry is an eternal obligation — a necessary discipline for the preservation of our way of life and our ideals.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "James Murdoch Says There Are ‘No Good Nazis,’ Pledges $1 Million to Anti-Defamation League," 18 Aug. 2017
My 5′2′′, shrimpy, less-than-ideal-muscle-mass stature has always placed me on the wrong side of somatic prowess.

— kristen bell, Cosmopolitan, "Kristen Bell Thinks Being Nice Is Overrated," 23 July 2017
While many would argue these ideals still guide public policy here, others will tell you some communities are deteriorating at a quicker pace than others, and the idea of revitalizing those neighborhoods has met with some pushback.

— leonardo mcclarty, Columbia Flier, "Columbia's future has same vision, different look," 19 July 2017
The tarragon burrowed in Little Gem lettuce with green goddess dressing is an ideal.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
Indeed, a specific piece of art, Pierre Du Fayet's fiberglass and gold-leaf sculpture known as The People Tree, prominently symbolizes the community's unifying ideals at its downtown lakefront perch.

— Columbia Flier, "Art played a part in building Columbia," 27 June 2017
Many researchers also see them as an ideal platform for radars that would probe the winds and clouds below.

— adam mann, Science | AAAS, "Commercial balloons in the stratosphere could monitor hurricanes and scan for solar storms," 22 June 2017
During her keynote address, Fernandez Rundle mentioned core values, ideals and outcomes that JCS and the state attorney's office share in making the community more together, stronger and safer.

— sergio carmona, Jewish Journal, "Jewish Community Services hosts annual meeting," 19 June 2017

First Known Use of ideal

15th century

ideal Synonyms

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

Synonym Discussion of ideal

model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation. model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

- a decor that is a model of good taste

example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

- children tend to follow the example of their parents

pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

- American industry set a pattern for others to follow

exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

- cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

- never found a job that matched his ideal

IDEAL Defined for English Language Learners

ideal

play

adjective

Definition of ideal for English Language Learners

: exactly right for a particular purpose, situation, or person

ideal

noun

Definition of ideal for English Language Learners

: an idea or standard of perfection or excellence
: someone or something that is believed to be perfect : someone or something that you admire and want to imitate

IDEAL Defined for Kids

ideal

play

adjective ide·al \ ī-ˈdē-əl \

Definition of ideal for Students

:having no flaw :perfect

ideal weather

—

ideally

adverb

ideal

noun

Definition of ideal for Students

1 :a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence

He couldn't live up to his own ideals.

2 :someone who deserves to be imitated or admired

She considered the older woman her ideal.

Medical Dictionary

ideal

play

adjective ide·al \ ī-ˈdē(-ə)l , ˈī-ˌ \

medical Definition of ideal

1 :existing as an archetypal idea

2 a :existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only

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

ideal

noun

medical Definition of ideal

:a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence

self-criticism and the formation of ideals are…the essential manifestations of the superego
—G. S. Blum

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Other Physics Terms

ideal

Definition of ideal

idealless

Examples of ideal in a Sentence

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First Known Use of ideal

ideal Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of ideal

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IDEAL Defined for English Language Learners

ideal

Definition of ideal for English Language Learners

ideal

Definition of ideal for English Language Learners

IDEAL Defined for Kids

ideal

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ideally

ideal

Definition of ideal for Students

Medical Dictionary

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medical Definition of ideal

ideal

medical Definition of ideal

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