ideally

adverb

ide·​al·​ly ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 

-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē

1

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

2

: in relation to an exemplar

3

: in idea or imagination : mentally

Synonyms

• perfectly
• immaculately

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 on the Web

According to the Sleep Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sleep education, sheets should ideally be washed once a week.2 Towels, on the other hand, need a refresh every three uses. —Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2025

The most effective opportunities provide measurable outcomes through transparent reporting, data collection, and, ideally, independent evaluation. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Next, Cole will look to get on the mound at some point in the near future and continue his journey toward re-joining the rotation, ideally for New York by the start of next season. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025

Collecting and processing surveillance data automatically—ideally from multiple layers of sensors across the frontline—would save hundreds of man-hours a week. —Eric Schmidt, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for ideally

• kiswahili
• freely
• keeley
• mealy
• seely
• steely
• vilely
• intraperitoneally
• lapilli
• swahili

Kids Definition

ideally

adverb

ide·​al·​ly ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 

-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē

1

: in agreement with an ideal : perfectly

ideally suited to the job

2

: for best results

ideally, each student should arrive early