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

In a world where the next geopolitical shock is always two years away, clean heat isn’t idealism. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

In contrast, Lesieur underscores the boundless agility and fragile idealism of Bonnier de La Chapelle. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 25 May 2026

The opening moments of this penultimate episode evoke enough genuine idealism and hope to feel like a rare breath of fresh air, holding the hermetic nastiness of the series in sharp relief. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 May 2026

Most accounts of the era blame greed—a new ethic of cupidity that displaced whatever youthful idealism remained from the 1960s. —Literary Hub, 15 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for idealism

• neorealism
• surrealism

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