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

• faultlessly
• flawlessly
• immaculately
• impeccably
• pat
• perfectly

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

The schedule-making team — a group that gets bigger every year — will react to which franchises got a little better or more interesting but ideally those improvements support scheduling decisions that have already been made, as opposed to justifying a start-from-scratch reboot. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025

There is a long-term solution: putting Caltrain underground, ideally with a physical barrier like other cities that have reduced suicide access. —Melissa Cook, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025

The machine gave me a 74% in UV damage − not horrible, the Kiehl's representative said, but, ideally, someone around my age should be at 80% or higher. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

An initial plan for the rehabilitation center states that the on-site farmer's market will ideally be run by local producers. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 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