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ideal definition

ideal (ī dē′əl, -dēl′; ī′dē′əl, -dēl′)

adjective

  1. existing as an idea, model, or archetype; consisting of ideas
  2. thought of as perfect or as a perfect model; exactly as one would wish; of a perfect kind
  3. of, or having the nature of, an idea or conception; identifying or illustrating an idea or conception; conceptual
  4. existing only in the mind as an image, fancy, or concept; visionary; imaginary
  5. Philos. of idealism; idealistic

Etymology: Fr idéal < LL idealis, existing in idea, ideal < L idea: see idea

noun

  1. a conception of something in its most excellent or perfect form
  2. a person or thing regarded as fulfilling this conception; perfect model
  3. something that exists only in the mind
  4. a goal or principle, esp. one of a noble character

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical ideal definition - medical

ideal Synonyms

ideal

modif.

  1. Typical

    prototypical, model, archetypical; see typical.

  2. Perfect

    supreme, consummate, fitting, exemplary; see absolute 1, excellent, perfect 2.

  3. Characterizing the unattainable

    utopian, imaginary, visionary, fanciful, unreal, abstract, quixotic, Panglossian, high-flown, impractical, impracticable, chimerical, extravagant, theoretical, in the clouds, mercurial, out of reach, dreamlike, fictitious, unearthly; see also impractical, romantic 1, visionary 1.

    Antonyms practical*, practicable*, down-to-earth.


ideal

n.

paragon, goal, prototype, standard of perfection; see model 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

ideal Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • embody: In signing the banknote, Luping attempts to raise its market value, thereby devaluing the Maoist ideals embodied by Liu Vinci.

Adjective modifier

  • lofty: The FAO says that, " eradicating hunger is not merely a lofty ideal " ( 21 ).

Modifies a noun

  • candidate: The ideal candidate should have a research, social science or history background.

Noun used with modifier

  • bodhisattva: For our purposes here, the crucial importance of the bodhisattva ideal in Mah&#257;y&#257;na Buddhism is that the bodhisattva cures himself by curing others.

Preposition: of

  • chivalry: However, the ideals of chivalry and Knighthood would continue to live on and flourish.

Preposition: for

  • beginner: Can be used with or without the supplied silicone sleeve and is ideal for the beginner.
ideal usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

ideal quotes

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.

-Chesterton, G(ilbert) K(eith)

Soy el cantor deAme¤  rica auto¤  ctono y salvaje; mi lira tiene un alma, mi canto un ideal. Mi verso no se mece colgado de un ramaje con un vaive¤  n pausado de hamaca tropical. I am the aboriginal and savage singer of America; my lyre has a soul, my song has an ideal. My poetry does not swing from the branches with the slow movement of a tropical hammock.

-Ch'in Chia   c.150

'Mindandmatter,'saidthelady inthewig,'glideswift into the vortex of immensity. Howls the sublime, and softly sleeps the calm Ideal, in the whispering chambers of Imagination.'

-Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

ideal quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"ideal." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/ideal>

APA Style

ideal. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/ideal

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