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

Mclusky were always rooted more in bile than hormones, contempt and wit over quick-burn idealism. —Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 25 Mar. 2026

The mayor’s turnaround on the issue highlights the difficulty between the idealism of Mamdani’s campaign and the difficulties of governance. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026

This time, the combination of Robby’s short fuse and delusional idealism has diminished returns. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026

But what Trump has always hated isn’t conflict but sacrifice, the notion that American power should ever be constrained by a veneer of idealism or care for global opinion. —Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026

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