idea

noun

ī-ˈdē-ə 

-ˈdēə,

also

ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə 

 or  ˈī-dē

1

: a formulated thought or opinion

2

: whatever is known or supposed about something

a child's idea of time

3

: the central meaning or chief end of a particular action or situation

4

a

: a plan for action : design

b

: a standard of perfection : ideal

c

: a transcendent entity that is a real pattern of which existing things are imperfect representations

5

a

: an entity (such as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness

b

: an indefinite or unformed conception

c

obsolete : an image recalled by memory

6

Christian Science : an image in Mind

7

archaic : a visible representation of a conception : a replica of a pattern

idealess

ī-ˈdē-ə-ləs 

-ˈdēə-

 also  ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə-

 or  ˈī-dē-

adjective

Synonyms

• abstraction
• cogitation
• concept
• conception
• image
• impression
• intellection
• mind's eye
• notion
• picture
• thought

Choose the Right Synonym for idea

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan).

idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas

my idea of paradise

concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of idea in a Sentence

My idea is to study law.

Starting her own business seemed like a good idea at the time, but it turned out badly.

Whose idea was it to leave so early?

My idea was that if we left early we could beat the crowd.

Buying the car was a bad idea.

I have some ideas for redecorating the room.

He has an idea for a movie.

I'm not sure what to do next. Do you have any ideas?

She's always full of new ideas.

It's a good idea to talk to people who have actually been there.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her women talk—and talk and talk, and then talk some more—and in each exchange the quotidian details of life spark ideas and insight into the human condition. —Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024

The recognition afforded by a Nobel Prize entrenches ideas within the mainstream, even when those ideas are questionable or the scientific autocracy proves unwise. —James Broughel, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024

Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024

The Trump campaign stressed to CNBC that Trump’s tariff ideas should be viewed in concert with his broader plans, which include slashing regulations, ramping up U.S. oil drilling and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, from idein to see — more at wit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

Phrases Containing idea

• get the idea
• get the wrong idea
• have no idea
• I have no idea
• nice idea
• not have the faintest idea/notion
• not have the faintest/slightest idea
• put that idea out of your head
• the idea
• the idea behind
• what's the big idea
• you have no idea

Kids Definition

idea

noun

ī-ˈdē-ə 

ˈīd-(ˌ)ē-ə

1

: a plan of action : intention

my idea is to study law

2

: something imagined or pictured in the mind : notion

form an idea of a place from reading

3

: a central meaning or purpose

the idea of the game is to score goals

4

: comprehension sense 2

had no idea what he meant

5

: an opinion or belief

has some strange ideas

idealess

ī-ˈdē-ə-ləs 

adjective

Medical Definition

idea

noun

ī-ˈdē-ə  ˈīd-(ˌ)ē-ə 

1

: an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness

2

: a formulated thought or opinion