Thesaurus

idea

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of idea

1 something imagined or pictured in the mind

my idea of the perfect vacation spot is an uncrowded, unspoiled beach

Synonyms of idea

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

Words Related to idea

apprehension, premonition, presentiment

preconception, prejudice, prepossession

chimera, delusion, hallucination, illusion, phantasm (also fantasm)

caprice, conceit, fancy, freak, kink, vagary, whim

cognition, observation, perception, reflection

assumption, belief, conclusion, conviction

conjecture, guess, hunch, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmise, theory

brainchild, brainstorm, brain wave, inspiration

Near Antonyms of idea

actuality, fact, reality

2 someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation

Helen Keller remains my idea of a person with indomitable spirit

Synonyms of idea

beau ideal, classic, eidolon, exemplar, ideal, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, paragon, patron saint

Words Related to idea

embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification, phantom, pink

archetype, example, mirror, paradigm, pattern

guideline, principle, rule

gauge (also gage), standard, touchstone

essence, quintessence

acme, apex, apotheosis, culmination, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith

3 something that one hopes or intends to accomplish

the idea is to get the information without seeming to be nosy

Synonyms of idea

aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne (also bourn), design, dream, end, goal, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing

Words Related to idea

grail, holy grail

plot, project, scheme

desire, hope, mind, wish

destination, terminus

Phrases Synonymous with idea

name of the game

Near Antonyms of idea

means, method, way

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about idea

See words that rhyme with idea Dictionary: Definition of idea Medical Dictionary: Definition of idea Spanish Central: Translation of idea Nglish: Translation of idea for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of idea for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about idea

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