ideally

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adverb ide·al·ly \ ī-ˈdē-ə-lē , -ˈdē(-ə)l-lē \

Definition of ideally

1 :in idea or imagination :mentally

2 :in relation to an exemplar

3 a :conformably to or in respect to an ideal :perfectly

b :for best results

ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant
—T. M. Martinez

c :in accordance with an ideal or typical standard :classically

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Examples of ideally in a Sentence

His skills made him ideally suited for the job.
They were ideally suited to one another.
The ski slope was situated ideally.

Recent Examples of ideally from the Web

But perhaps the most dramatic presentations of prime rib take place in restaurants, where, ideally, the roast should be cooked bones and all to save juices and to impart the tantalizing fragrance of the bones themselves.

— mimi sheraton, Bon Appetit, "Prime Rib Is the Dining Spectacle of the Year," 21 Aug. 2017
On your way to such an abode, tickets on the Bald Mountain gondola are a must–at peak eclipse time, ideally.

— CNT, "Where to Be When the Moon Eclipses the Sun," 4 Aug. 2017
Gently undulating ground with a mixture of trees, shrubs and open spaces, in other words (though, ideally, without the accompanying dangerous wild animals).

— The Economist, "Artificial intelligenceComputer analysis of what is scenic may help town planners," 20 July 2017
City officials had hoped to secure a permanent waiver through EPA rule-making or ideally from Congress.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego's effort to turn sewage into drinking water could get huge financial boost from feds," 19 July 2017
Ideally, the veteran presence the Bears hoped for in signing Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman will shine in their second year.

— rich campbell, chicagotribune.com, "How Bears can gain playmaking edge from inside linebackers," 18 July 2017
Ideally, assumptions are challenged and resource considerations taken into account.

— richard haass, The Atlantic, "Donald Trump and the Danger of 'Adhocracy'," 18 July 2017
Ideally, feed them once within a few weeks of planting with a general-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer, says Esslinger.

— arricca sansone, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know About Planting Pumpkin Seeds," 29 June 2017
Ideally, the work would be completed over a three- or four-year period, working around the schedules of the University of Connecticut basketball and hockey teams and the AHL's Wolf Pack.

— kenneth r. gosselin, courant.com, "XL Center Attracts Just One Suitor In Bid For Private Investment," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ideally.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of ideally

1598

ideally Synonyms

Synonyms

faultlessly, flawlessly, perfectly, immaculately, impeccably, pat

Antonyms

amiss, badly, defectively, faultily, imperfectly

Related Words

excellently, fabulously, finely, grandly, greatly, marvelously, superbly, superiorly, superlatively, terrifically; exceptionally, fancily, specially

Near Antonyms

deficiently, inadequately, incompletely, insufficiently; fallibly; atrociously, execrably, wretchedly

IDEALLY Defined for English Language Learners

ideally

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adverb

Definition of ideally for English Language Learners

: in an ideal way
—used to say what should happen or be done to produce the best results

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ideally

Definition of ideally

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ideally Synonyms

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IDEALLY Defined for English Language Learners

ideally

Definition of ideally for English Language Learners

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