1
a
: of, relating to, or embodying an ideal
ideal beauty
b
: conforming exactly to an ideal, law, or standard : perfect
an ideal gas
compare real sense 1c(4)
2
a
: existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only
broadly : lacking practicality
b
: relating to or constituting mental images, ideas, or conceptions
3
: of or relating to philosophical idealism
4
: existing as an archetypal idea

ideal

2 of 2

noun

1
: a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence
2
: one regarded as exemplifying an ideal and often taken as a model for imitation
3
: an ultimate object or aim of endeavor : goal
4
: a subset of a mathematical ring that is closed under addition and subtraction and contains the products of any given element of the subset with each element of the ring
idealless adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for ideal

model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation.

model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation.

a decor that is a model of good taste

example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning.

children tend to follow the example of their parents

pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype.

American industry set a pattern for others to follow

exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification.

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception.

never found a job that matched his ideal

Examples of ideal in a Sentence

Adjective It was an ideal spot for a vacation. She is an ideal candidate for the job. The conference provided us with an ideal opportunity to meet new people. Noun an ideal of romantic love He hasn't lived up to his high ideals. She considers the actress her ideal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
That latter thought is another reason Zegna was an ideal choice. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 These shirts are versatile, feel brand new again, and are ideal for approaching warmer days. Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2024 And seeing as comfy sweats have become my daily uniform while working from home, these Boyfriend Joggers look like the ideal choice for nailing effortless travel style while still looking cool. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2024 Itzy Ritzy Silicone Teething Mitt $9 Buy on Walmart $9 This innovative soft teething mitten is ideal for babies ages 3 months and up who may not be coordinated enough to hold teethers. Maya Polton, Parents, 8 Mar. 2024 As time progressed, those methods were not ideal for timing modern transportation, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 A day after claiming that Taylor Swift should be president, billionaire investor Ray Dalio walked back his comments while insisting that neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden is ideal for the job. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 Since coming out of stealth in 2018, the company has positioned itself as a maker of adventure vehicles that are ideal for camping and off-road antics. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Mar. 2024 In other words, how companies communicate today is not ideal for human brains. Bob Pearson, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Noun
Campillo sensitively captures the ensuing transition between childish fancy and disillusionment, which dovetails neatly with the Frenchmen’s apathetic shedding of colonial ideals — their days there are numbered, and everyone is waiting for the next chapter of their lives to begin. Guy Lodge, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 March provides the sort of weather ideal for spring training, hiking, and other outdoor activities before the heat scorches the Valley. Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 Few places capture the platonic ideal of vacation quite like Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Maui. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 Yet, the path to this ideal is fraught with systemic obstacles that require intentional, strategic dismantling. Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 This section adheres closest to the Platonic ideal of a Mario Party minigame, wherein players smash a button repeatedly to make the batter rise, but not too much! Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 That meant enlisting friends and staffers with their same pedigree and ideals to run. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Much of today’s agricultural industry already shares the same ideals as those fighting to address our climate crisis. Magi Richani, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Many are returning to the ideals of traditional neighborhoods, which had a strong sense of community, fewer cars and people walking everywhere. Bang Advertising Staff and Correspondents, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ideal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English ydeall, from Late Latin idealis, from Latin idea

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ideal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near ideal

Cite this Entry

“Ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ideal

1 of 2 adjective
ide·​al ī-ˈdē(-ə)l How to pronounce ideal (audio)
ˈī-ˌdē(-ə)l
1
: existing only in the mind : not real
a purely ideal conception of society
2
: having no flaw : perfect
ideal weather

ideal

2 of 2 noun
1
: a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence
2
: a perfect type : a model for imitation

Medical Definition

ideal

1 of 2 adjective
1
: existing as an archetypal idea
2
a
: existing as a mental image or in fancy or imagination only
b
: relating to or constituting mental images, ideas, or conceptions

ideal

2 of 2 noun
: a standard of perfection, beauty, or excellence
self-criticism and the formation of ideals are … the essential manifestations of the superegoG. S. Blum

More from Merriam-Webster on ideal

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