ideal

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

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: ideal in a Sentence

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 1c(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

Made from durable, water-resistant twill that will break-in over time and sporting leather straps, this handsome bag is ideal for camping trips or cabin stays.

— max berlinger, latimes.com, "LeBron James carries a $41,000 bag. Here's your chance to get into the man-bag game with these picks," 12 July 2018
Look out for quick-drying oils like grapeseed, apricot kernel, argan, and marula, which are ideal for most skin types.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Everything You Need to Know About Putting Oils on Your Face," 12 July 2018
But Johnsen said residential is ideal for the site, which is located near the intersection of routes 72 and 25.

— erin sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "East Dundee gives land to developers planning to build apartment buildings," 10 July 2018
The location isn't ideal for longtime fans who would either have to drive or take a commuter train to reach the new arena.

— doug feinberg, courant.com, "Some WNBA Teams Downsizing Arenas To Help Bottom Line," 9 July 2018
Engines are currently tested at 100 percent takeoff power or thrust, which is ideal for testing fan blades, but does not adequately simulate lower fan speeds used during climb and descent -- so a bird strike could be more damaging.

— CBS News, "9 years after "Miracle on the Hudson," FAA proposes new test for engine bird strikes," 6 July 2018
The circumstances were not ideal for speech drafting.

— avi selk, Washington Post, "Why a teacher carried her 2-year-old up to Scott Pruitt’s restaurant table and asked him to resign," 3 July 2018
The idea is that certain natural structures can be lighter and stronger, which would be ideal for space travel.

— jerod macdonald-evoy, azcentral, "Tempe company explores 3D printing for NASA spacecraft," 25 June 2018
Because the first potato was not built for the long haul, the interior wasn’t ideal for storage.

— bill manny, idahostatesman, "New Big Idaho Potato has AC, a mashed-potato interior and cushy digs for Spuddy Buddy," 20 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

ideal Synonyms

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

Instead, they were intimately bound to the unlimited scope of those ideals.

— mark sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, "The largest patriotism," 3 July 2018
That would mean affirming the value and distinctiveness of American ideals, despite earthly failings that can accompany them.

— edward rothstein, WSJ, "A New Gateway to the West," 2 July 2018
Now is not the time to face him in a battle of ideals.

— laura mcgann, Vox, "Are Democrats brave enough to run a woman against Donald Trump?," 16 June 2018
Ten years later it was destroyed by fire — but the Frick has brought the full-scale plaster model of the lost statue over from Italy for this smashing show that reveals how European artists were inspired by American revolutionary ideals.

— New York Times, "23 Art Exhibitions to View in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 12 July 2018
And the tension between American ideals and American actions becomes acute.

— rick hampson, USA TODAY, "Celebrating Independence Day in America's detention camps – during World War II and now," 2 July 2018
Should we be focused on the American ideal of individual liberty and individual responsibility, or is the best path for Californians an ever increasing reliance on state government?

— sacbee, "Antonia Hernandez," 27 June 2018
The Platonic ideal of an immigration policy is one that has the consent of the host country.

— The Economist, "How the West’s immigration policies clash with values," 21 June 2018
That’s an American ideal that means even more than a flag or a song.

— nestor ramos, BostonGlobe.com, "Too bad Colin Kaepernick doesn’t play for the NBA, a league that actually supports its players," 25 May 2018

First Known Use of ideal

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

ideal Synonyms

Synonyms

aim, ambition, aspiration, design, dream, end, goal, idea, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing;

Near Antonyms

means, method, way;

Related Words

grail, holy grail;

plot, project, scheme;

desire, hope, mind, wish;

nirvana;

destination, terminus;

Phrases

name of the game;

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

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

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

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

Learn More about ideal

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

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ideal

Definition of ideal

Examples of ideal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ideal from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ideal

ideal Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Physics Terms

ideal

Definition of ideal

idealless

Examples of ideal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ideal from the Web

First Known Use of ideal

ideal Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Synonym Discussion of ideal

Phrases Related to IDEAL

Related Phrases

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

Definition of ideal for Students

ideally

ideal

Definition of ideal for Students

Medical Dictionary

ideal

medical Definition of ideal

ideal

medical Definition of ideal

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