ideal
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
i·de·al
(ī-dē′əl, ī-dēl′)n.
1. A conception of something in its absolute perfection: the ideal of national unity.
2. One that is regarded as a standard or model of perfection or excellence: The restaurant is considered the ideal in fine dining.
3. An ultimate or worthy object of endeavor; a goal: "those who regarded even a rhetorical commitment to the ideal of disarmament as irresponsibly utopian" (James Carroll).
adj.
1. Conforming to a standard of perfection or excellence; perfect or highly satisfactory: an ideal work environment.
2.
a. Existing only in the mind; imaginary: an ideal world where everything works out fine.
b. Lacking practicality or the possibility of realization: an ideal notion of how businesses are run.
3. Philosophy
a. Existing as an archetype or pattern, especially as a Platonic idea or perception: the ideal forms.
b. Of or relating to idealism.
[From Middle English, pertaining to the divine archetypes of things, from Late Latin ideālis, from Latin idea, idea; see idea.]
Synonyms: ideal , exemplar , model , standard , pattern
These nouns refer to someone or something worthy of imitation or duplication. An ideal represents a sometimes unattainable level of perfection: "Comic book heroes played a major part in shaping my boyhood ideal of manliness" (Theodore Roszak).
An exemplar, like a model, serves as a worthy example by being the best or most admirable of its class: "He is indeed the perfect exemplar of all nobleness" (Jane Porter)."Our fellow countryman is a model of a man" (Charles Dickens).
A standard is a basis of comparison or judgment: "Alexander's conquests created a legend that would provide the standard by which other leaders measured their careers" (Eugene N. Borza).
A pattern is an example worthy of imitation by reason of being an original or essential form of something: "I will be the pattern of all patience" (Shakespeare).
These nouns refer to someone or something worthy of imitation or duplication. An ideal represents a sometimes unattainable level of perfection: "Comic book heroes played a major part in shaping my boyhood ideal of manliness" (Theodore Roszak).
An exemplar, like a model, serves as a worthy example by being the best or most admirable of its class: "He is indeed the perfect exemplar of all nobleness" (Jane Porter)."Our fellow countryman is a model of a man" (Charles Dickens).
A standard is a basis of comparison or judgment: "Alexander's conquests created a legend that would provide the standard by which other leaders measured their careers" (Eugene N. Borza).
A pattern is an example worthy of imitation by reason of being an original or essential form of something: "I will be the pattern of all patience" (Shakespeare).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ideal
(aɪˈdɪəl)n
1. a conception of something that is perfect, esp that which one seeks to attain
2. a person or thing considered to represent perfection: he's her ideal.
3. something existing only as an idea
4. a pattern or model, esp of ethical behaviour
adj
5. conforming to an ideal
6. of, involving, or existing in the form of an idea
7. (Philosophy) philosophy
a. of or relating to a highly desirable and possible state of affairs
b. of or relating to idealism
ideality n
iˈdeally adv
iˈdealness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
i•de•al
(aɪˈdi əl, aɪˈdil)n.
1. a conception of something in its perfection.
2. a standard of perfection or excellence.
3. a person or thing conceived as embodying such a conception or standard and taken as a model for imitation.
4. an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, esp. one of high or noble character: to compromise one's ideals.
5. something that exists only in the imagination.
adj. 6. conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence: ideal beauty.
7. regarded as perfect of its kind: an ideal spot for a home.
8. existing only in the imagination; not real or actual.
9. excellent; best.
10. based upon an ideal or ideals.
11. Philos.
a. pertaining to a possible state of affairs considered as highly desirable.
b. pertaining to or of the nature of idealism.
[1605–15; < Late Latin ideālis]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun 1. ideal - the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
idea, thought - the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about; "it was not a good idea"; "the thought never entered my mind"
value - an ideal accepted by some individual or group; "he has old-fashioned values"
criterion, standard - the ideal in terms of which something can be judged; "they live by the standards of their community"
exemplar, good example, example, model - something to be imitated; "an exemplar of success"; "a model of clarity"; "he is the very model of a modern major general"
ego ideal - (psychoanalysis) the part of the ego that contains an ideal of personal excellence toward which a person strives
2. ideal - model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
role model, model - someone worthy of imitation; "every child needs a role model"
class act - someone who shows impressive and stylish excellence
humdinger - someone of remarkable excellence; "a humdinger of a secretary"
Adj. 1. ideal - conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
perfect - being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish; "a perfect circle"; "a perfect reproduction"; "perfect happiness"; "perfect manners"; "a perfect specimen"; "a perfect day"
2. ideal - constituting or existing only in the form of an idea or mental image or conception; "a poem or essay may be typical of its period in idea or ideal content"
abstract - existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment; "abstract words like `truth' and `justice'"
3. ideal - of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
ideal
noun
1. (often plural) principle, standard, ideology, morals, conviction, integrity, scruples, probity, moral value, rectitude, sense of duty, sense of honour, uprightness The party has drifted too far from its socialist ideals.
2. epitome, standard, dream, pattern, perfection, last word, paragon, nonpareil, standard of perfection Throughout his career she remained his feminine ideal.
adjective
1. perfect, best, model, classic, supreme, ultimate, archetypal, exemplary, consummate, optimal, quintessential She decided I was the ideal person to take over this job.
perfect flawed, deficient, imperfect, impaired, unsuitable
perfect flawed, deficient, imperfect, impaired, unsuitable
2. imaginary, impractical, Utopian, romantic, fantastic, fabulous, poetic, visionary, fairy-tale, mythical, unreal, fanciful, unattainable, ivory-towered, imagal (Psychoanalysis) Their ideal society collapsed around them in revolution.
imaginary real, ordinary, actual, mundane, factual, literal
imaginary real, ordinary, actual, mundane, factual, literal
3. hypothetical, academic, intellectual, abstract, theoretical, speculative, conceptual, metaphysical, transcendental, notional an ideal economic world
Quotations
"The ideal has many names, and beauty is but one of them" [W. Somerset Maugham Cakes and Ale]
"The ideal has many names, and beauty is but one of them" [W. Somerset Maugham Cakes and Ale]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
ideal
noun1. One that is worthy of imitation or duplication:
2. A fervent hope, wish, or goal:
2. Existing only in concept and not in reality:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
شَخْص مِثالي، مَثَل أعلىمِثاليمِثَالِيٌّ مُثُل عُليا
ideálníideál
ideelforbilledeideal
ihanteellinenoptimaalinenideaaliideaalinenihanne
idealan
eszményiideálideálisképzelttökéletes
ideal
fullkominnfyrirmyndímynd hins fullkomna
理想的な
이상적인
idealasidealiaiidealistasidealistinisidealizavimas
ideālspilnīgs
ideálideálny
idealen
ideal
ดีเลิศ
lý tưởng
ideal
[aɪˈdɪəl]A. ADJ [opportunity, weight, conditions, solution] → ideal
we do not live in an ideal world → no vivimos en un mundo ideal
he is the ideal person for the job → es la persona ideal para el puesto
an ideal place to live → un sitio ideal para vivir
we do not live in an ideal world → no vivimos en un mundo ideal
he is the ideal person for the job → es la persona ideal para el puesto
an ideal place to live → un sitio ideal para vivir
B. N → ideal m
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
ideal
adj → ideal ; ideal solution → Ideallösung f; ideal weight → Idealgewicht nt; he is ideal or the ideal person for the job → er ist für den Job ideal geeignet ; the plants are ideal for growing in the home → die Pflanzen eignen sich ideal als Zimmerpflanzen ; in an ideal world → im Idealfall ; (philosophical statement) → in einer vollkommenen or idealen Welt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
ideal
(aiˈdiəl) adjective perfect. This tool is ideal for the job I have in mind. ideaal مِثالي идеален ideal ideální ideal ideel ιδεώδης, ιδανικός ideal täiuslik ایده آل ideaali idéal מושלם पूर्ण, आदर्श idealan eszményi, ideális sempurna fullkominn ideale 理想的な 완벽한 idealus ideāls; pilnīgs sempurna ideaal ideell, perfekt, mønstergyldig idealny ايډيالى، خيالى، تصورى، عقلى: دژوند هدف، نصب العين، وروستۍ هيله، ارمان ideal ideal идеальный ideálny idealen idealan idealisk ดีเลิศ ideal, mükemmel 理想的 ідеальний, досконалий معیاری lý tưởng 理想的
noun1. a person, thing etc that is looked on as being perfect. She was clever and beautiful – in fact she was his ideal of what a wife should be. ideaal شَخْص مِثالي، مَثَل أعلى съвършен ideal ideál das Ideal ideal; forbillede πρότυπο, ίνδαλμα ideal ideaal فرد یا چیز دلخواه perikuva idéal אידיאל आदर्श uzor eszménykép idaman ímynd hins fullkomna ideale 理想のもの 이상적인 인물(것) idealas ideāls idaman ideaal forbilde, ideal ideał ايډيالى، خيالى، تصورى ideal ideal идеал ideál vzor ideal ideal แบบอย่างที่ดี ideal, mükemmel/kusursuz kimse/şey 理想 ідеал, взірець مثالی mẫu người hoàn hảo 理想
2. a person's standard of behaviour etc. a man of high ideals. ideale مُثُل عُليا с висок стандарт ideal ideál das Ideal ideal ιδεώδες, ιδανικό ideal ideaal آرمان ihanne idéal אידיאל आदर्श ideal ideál standar peri laku seseorang fyrirmynd ideale 理想 전형 idealas ideāls taraf perilaku seseorang ideaal moral ideał ارمان ideal ideal идеал ideál ideal ideal ideal อุดมคติ ülkü, ideal, ilke 行為典範 ідеал اصول sự lý tưởng, sự hoàn thiện 典范
iˈdealist noun a person having (too) high ideals of behaviour etc. idealis مِثالي идеалист idealista idealista der/die Idealist(in) idealist ιδεαλιστής idealista idealist آدم آرمان گرا idealisti idéaliste אידיאליסט आदर्शवादी idealist idealista idealis hugsjónamaður idealista 理想主義者 이상주의자 idealistas ideālists idealis idealist idealist idealista دايډيا ليزم دفلسفى پر خوا idealista idealist идеалист idealista idealist idealista idealist ผู้ยึดมั่นอุดมการณ์ ülkücü, idealist 理想主義者 ідеаліст عینیت پسند người hay lý tưởng hóa 理想主义者
iˈdealism noun idealisme مِثالِيَّه идеализъм idealismo idealismus der Idealismus idealisme ιδεαλισμός idealismo idealism آرمان گرایی idealismi idéalisme אידיאליסט आदर्शवाद idealizam idealizmus idealisme hugsjónastefna; hughyggja idealismo 理想主義 이상주의 idealizmas ideālisms idealisme idealisme idealisme idealizm ايډياليزم، دتصور داصالت فلسفه (هغه فلسفى متكب چې فكر تر مادى مقدم بولى idealismo idealism идеализм idealizmus idealizem idealizam idealism อุดมคตินิยม ülkücülük, idealizm 理想主義 ідеалізм مثالیت chủ nghĩa duy tâm 理想主义
ˌideaˈlistic (aidiə-) adjective idealisties مِثالي идеалистичен idealista idealistický idealistisch idealistisk ιδεαλιστικός idealista idealistlik آرمان گرایانه idealistinen idéaliste אִיֵדיאָלִיסטִי आदर्शवादी idealistički idealista, idealisztikus idealistis hugsjóna- idealistico 理想主義の 이상주의의 idealistinis ideālistisks idealistik idealistisch idealistisk idealistyczny فكرى، معنوى، تصورى idealista idealist идеалистический idealistický idealističen idealističan idealistisk ซึ่งยึดมั่นอุดมการณ์ ülkücü, idealist 理想主義的 ідеалістичний مثالیت پسند duy tâm 理想主义的
iˈdealize, iˈdealise verb to regard as perfect. Children tend to idealize their parents. idealiseer يَجْعَلُ مِثالِيّا идеализирам idealizar idealizovat (si) idealisieren idealisere εξιδανικεύω idealizar idealiseerima بی کاستی پنداشتن ihannoida idéaliser לַעֲשוֹת אִידֵיאָלִיזַציה שֶל आदर्शीकरण करना, आदर्श के रूप में प्रस्तुत करना idealizirati eszményít, idealizál menganggap sempurna líta á sem fullkominn; fegra idealizzare 理想化する 이상적인 것으로서 여기다 idealizuoti idealizēt menganggap sempurna idealiseren idealisere, forgude idealizować خپل وروستى مطلب ته رسيدل كمال مطلوب ته رسول idealizar a idealiza идеализировать idealizovať (si) idealizirati idealizovati idealisera ทําให้เลอเลิศ idealleştirmek 理想化 ідеалізувати مثالی تصور کرنا lý tưởng hóa 使理想化
iˌdealiˈzation, iˌdealiˈsation noun idealisering جَعْل الشَّخص أو الشَّيء مِثالِيّا идеализация idealização idealizace die Idealisierung idealisering εξιδανίκευση idealización idealiseerimine آرمان گرایی ihannointi idéalisation אִידֵיאָלִיזַציה आदर्शीकरण idealizacija eszményítés, idealizálás menganggap sempurna fegrun, gylling idealizzazione 理想化 이상화 idealizavimas idealizēšana; idealizācija kesempurnaan idealisering idealisering, forguding idealizacja ايډياليزم، دتصور داصالت فلسفه (هغه فلسفى متكب چې فكر تر مادى مقدم بولى idealização idealizare идеализация idealizácia idealiziranje idealizacija idealisering ความสมบูรณ์แบบ ülküleştirme, idealleştirme 理想化 ідеалізація کسی کو مثالی ماننا sự lý tưởng hóa 理想化
iˈdeally adverb1. perfectly. He is ideally suited to this job. ideaal بِصورَة مِثالِيَّة идеален idealmente dokonale ideal perfekt ιδανικά, τέλεια perfectamente täiuslikult بطور ایده آل ihanteellisesti parfaitement בְּאוֹפֶן מוּשלָם पूर्ण रूप से idealno eszményien secara sempurna fullkomlega perfettamente 理想的に 완벽하게 idealiai ideāli sempurna ideaal ideelt, fullkomment idealnie دهيلى سره سم، دفكر له مخى idealmente ideal идеально dokonale, vynikajúco popolnoma idealno idealiskt, perfekt อย่างสมบูรณ์แบบ mükemmelen, en iyi/mükemmel şekilde 完美地 ідеально بہترین hoàn toàn 完美地
2. under perfect conditions. Ideally, we should check this again, but we haven't enough time. ideaal gesproke في ظُروف مِثالِيَّه، مِثالِيّاً съвършено teoricamente v ideálním případě idealerweise ideelt; rent ideelt ιδεωδώς idealmente; en el mejor de los casos ideaalolukorras در وضع مطلوب ihannetapauksessa idéalement בְּמָצַב אִידֵיאָלִי आदर्श रूप से u idealnom pogledu ideálisan secara ideal ef allt væri eins og best væri á kosið idealmente 理想的には 원칙적으로 optimaliomis sąlygomis; idealu būtų, kad ideāli secara ideal idealiter ideelt w optymalnych warunkach په مطلوبه وضع كي teoricamente (în mod) ideal идеально ideálne idealno u idealnim uslovima idealet vore ..., under idealiska förhållanden ถ้าจะให้ดีเลิศ tercihen 在最好的條件下 в ідеалі معیاری طور پر theo lý tưởng 理想地
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
ideal
→ مِثَالِيٌّ ideální ideel ideal ιδανικός ideal ihanteellinen idéal idealan ideale 理想的な 이상적인 ideaal ideell idealny ideal идеальный ideal ดีเลิศ ideal lý tưởng 理想的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
i·deal
n., a. ideal; perfecto-a.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
ideal
adj idealEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.