idealism

noun

ide·​al·​ism ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌliz-əm 

ˈī-(ˌ)dē-

1

a

: the practice of forming ideals or living under their influence

Slowly, a distinctive blue-collar counterculture emerged; it was harsher, more anarchic. … There was none of the philosophical posturing, little of the youthful idealism.

—Joe Klein

b

: something that is idealized

… the real enemy of chivalric love, with its idealisms and quixotic denials … is permissiveness …

—Cleanth Brooks

2

philosophy

a(1)

: a theory that ultimate reality lies in a realm transcending phenomena

(2)

: a theory that the essential nature of reality lies in consciousness or reason

b(1)

: a theory that only the perceptible is real

(2)

: a theory that only mental states or entities are knowable

3

: literary or artistic theory or practice that affirms the preeminent value of imagination as compared with faithful copying of nature compare realism

Examples of idealism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unfortunately, their idealism collapsed as outsiders who didn’t share their values moved in. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025

At the same time, Lennon and Ono were navigating a post-Beatles identity crisis and watching the idealism of the '60s collide with the harsher realities of the Nixon era, including the administration’s efforts to deport them. —Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

Rushmore reflected this strength and an American idealism and confidence born both from our victory in the Cold War and a near decade of economic growth. —Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025

Sorkin’s brand of idealism suddenly felt like science fiction — an elegy for a republic that mistook grift for governance. —Alexis Coe, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 2a(1)

Rhymes for idealism

• surrealism
• neorealism

Kids Definition

idealism

noun

ide·​al·​ism ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌliz-əm 

ˈī-(ˌ)dē-

: the practice of forming ideals or living under their influence

idealist

-(ə-)ləst

noun

idealistic

(ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈlis-tik, 

ˌī-dē-

adjective

idealistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb