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
Synonyms
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
Look for a pumping bra that won't stain and, ideally, is safe to toss in the washing machine for a thorough cleaning.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024
Making the honeyed strawberry topping is easy and ideally should be done at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes before serving.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
Repeat your skills and interests that match the job, ideally out loud in front of a mirror.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Executives want signposts as big as billboards—ideally, a new drama will, in its first five minutes, present viewers with a dead body; a clear, trauma-dependent backstory for the protagonist; and fully articulated narrative and thematic stakes for every plot point to come.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
But as companies grow in wealth and influence, the desire of many owners and CEOs is to express a distinct corporate personality and, ideally, to use art as a means to connect with their communities.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2024
In most offseasons, Morgan ideally wouldn’t sign so many free agents, but this isn’t most offseasons.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024
Although online forums can provide some of the togetherness that young people crave, ideally, Haidt writes, most of their interactions should unfold in person, unmediated by screens, which requires emotional effort and investment.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
Short-selling involves borrowing the shares, selling them and buying them back, ideally at a lower price, before returning them and pocketing any profit.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
Katrina Cossey, Parents, 10 Apr. 2024
Making the honeyed strawberry topping is easy and ideally should be done at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes before serving.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
Repeat your skills and interests that match the job, ideally out loud in front of a mirror.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Executives want signposts as big as billboards—ideally, a new drama will, in its first five minutes, present viewers with a dead body; a clear, trauma-dependent backstory for the protagonist; and fully articulated narrative and thematic stakes for every plot point to come.
—Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
But as companies grow in wealth and influence, the desire of many owners and CEOs is to express a distinct corporate personality and, ideally, to use art as a means to connect with their communities.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2024
In most offseasons, Morgan ideally wouldn’t sign so many free agents, but this isn’t most offseasons.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024
Although online forums can provide some of the togetherness that young people crave, ideally, Haidt writes, most of their interactions should unfold in person, unmediated by screens, which requires emotional effort and investment.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024
Short-selling involves borrowing the shares, selling them and buying them back, ideally at a lower price, before returning them and pocketing any profit.
—Krystal Hur, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ideally.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ideally
Cite this Entry
“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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