Ideal Definition
ī-dēəl, ī-dēl
ideals
noun
ideals
A conception of something in its most excellent or perfect form.
Webster's New World
A person or thing regarded as fulfilling this conception; perfect model.
Webster's New World
Something that exists only in the mind.
Webster's New World
A goal or principle, esp. one of a noble character.
Webster's New World
If (1) the empty set were called a "small" set, and (2) any subset of a "small" set were also a "small" set, and (3) the union of any pair of "small" sets were also a "small" set, then the set of all "small" sets would form an ideal.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
adjective
Conforming to a standard of perfection or excellence; perfect or highly satisfactory.
An ideal work environment.
American Heritage
Thought of as perfect or as a perfect model; exactly as one would wish; of a perfect kind.
Webster's New World
Existing as an idea, model, or archetype; consisting of ideas.
Webster's New World
Of, or having the nature of, an idea or conception; identifying or illustrating an idea or conception; conceptual.
Webster's New World
Lacking practicality or the possibility of realization.
An ideal notion of how businesses are run.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
pronoun
A city in Georgia, USA.
Wiktionary
An unincorporated community in Illinois.
Wiktionary
An unincorporated community in South Dakota.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Ideal
Noun
Singular:
ideal
Plural:
idealsOrigin of Ideal
-
From Middle English pertaining to the divine archetypes of things from Late Latin ideālis from Latin idea idea idea
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From French idéal, from Late Latin ideālis (“existing in idea”), from Latin idea (“idea”); see idea.
From Wiktionary
Related Articles
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to ideal using the buttons below.