1
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 sense 1c(4)
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
: of or relating to philosophical idealism
4
: existing as an archetypal idea

ideal

2 of 2

noun

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 adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of ideal in a Sentence

Adjective 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. Noun an ideal of romantic love He hasn't lived up to his high ideals. She considers the actress her ideal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Perhaps, in some Utopian dream, the collective will might have created an ideal state. Barry Garron, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 The Weather Service office in Blacksburg, Va., said that despite diminishing winds Thursday, the combination of low relative humidity, northwesterly winds and dry fuels would again make for ideal fire weather across southwestern Virginia and southeastern West Virginia through the evening. Remy Tumin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The Massachusetts team thinks the ideal candidate for a pig kidney will be a patient who was approved for a regular human kidney transplant but has a long wait time for a donor. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024 In America’s grassy heartland, the typically dry and often windy Plains, a series of compounding extremes across seasons are creating ideal fire fuel conditions in perennial grasses. Eric Zerkel, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 But there is concern that this type of affordable housing is not an ideal fit for an especially vulnerable group — families. Hallie Golden, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 Hummingbird feeders require more attention since the sugars are ideal for bacteria growth. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024 Its compact size is ideal for road trips and air travel alike — never again be forced to check your rolling carry-on because this one fits right under the seat (in a standard-sized aircraft). Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 That latter thought is another reason Zegna was an ideal choice. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
Noun
France, paying lip service to ideals of fraternal alliance, will perpetuate its political and economic exploitation. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 Instead, the test focuses on the theoretical ideals of a profession that has always been both noble and flawed, long defined by White intellectuals who try to do good as defined by their world view. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 In other words, the reality of racial caste could not be constitutionally subordinated to the ideal of colorblindness. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Our ideas about what being a good girlfriend entails are ingrained in ideals around perpetual selflessness and self-sacrifice. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024 More broadly, as the title suggests, he was captivated by a sense of beauty apart from traditional ideals of perfection, refinement and symmetry. Paul S. Atkins, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024 They are elevated into ideals of love and fidelity (dogs, horses), and often they are reduced to objects and tools (cattle, pigs, horses again). Sallie Tisdale, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024 But in this primary election, Schiff undercut democratic ideals. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Campillo sensitively captures the ensuing transition between childish fancy and disillusionment, which dovetails neatly with the Frenchmen’s apathetic shedding of colonial ideals — their days there are numbered, and everyone is waiting for the next chapter of their lives to begin. Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ideal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ideal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ideal

Cite this Entry

“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ideal

1 of 2 adjective
ide·​al ī-ˈdē(-ə)l How to pronounce ideal (audio)
ˈī-ˌdē(-ə)l
1
: existing only in the mind : not real
a purely ideal conception of society
2
: having no flaw : perfect
ideal weather

ideal

2 of 2 noun
1
: a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence
2
: a perfect type : a model for imitation

Medical Definition

ideal

1 of 2 adjective
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

2 of 2 noun
: a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence
self-criticism and the formation of ideals are … the essential manifestations of the superegoG. S. Blum

More from Merriam-Webster on ideal

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