ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
b
: for best results
Ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant …—
T. M. Martinez
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
… was afraid of the gallows. She was terrified of them ideally. Having never set eyes on that last argument of men's justice …—Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradExamples 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
Although merry and bright, ideally, the holidays can spur frosty interactions that test relationships of any stage, whether that be at the Thanksgiving table or at the mall while gift shopping.
—Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
Netflix has yet to set a release date for Wednesday season 3, but Gough and Millar told Collider that season 3 would ideally premiere sometime in 2027.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Nov. 2025
What that insurrectionary energy sought was a single theory of the world, ideally one that did not rely on partisan leanings—or, really, on politics at all.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2025
The Steelers have a unique player on their offense who the Bears ideally would want to have all of their linebackers healthy to face.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
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Lex Goldstein, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
Netflix has yet to set a release date for Wednesday season 3, but Gough and Millar told Collider that season 3 would ideally premiere sometime in 2027.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Nov. 2025
What that insurrectionary energy sought was a single theory of the world, ideally one that did not rely on partisan leanings—or, really, on politics at all.
—Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2025
The Steelers have a unique player on their offense who the Bears ideally would want to have all of their linebackers healthy to face.
—Matt Zahn, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
Cite this Entry
“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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