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

Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter from April 27, had his own idea, and commented on the naming change. —David Phelan, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

Down a long hall is the Youth Leadership Council, a plenary of teens who brainstorm ideas for these Wednesday gatherings. —Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025

What are the building blocks of a brain that can think critically, use tools, or form abstract ideas? —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Wired News, 11 May 2025

It’s gone through many changes since, but the core idea of bringing a dozen great amateur bakers together under a big white tent to show off their skills in pastries, breads, cakes, and other baked goods remains reassuringly constant. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 11 May 2025

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

Rhymes for idea

• chia
• mia
• pia
• rhea
• shia
• stria
• thea
• zia
• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea

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