ideal

/aɪˈdi(ə)l/

/aɪˈdɪəl/

Other forms: ideals

An ideal is a model of something perfect or without equal. As an adjective, ideal describes this ultimate standard for excellence, or something that exists only as an idea.

When we talk about what's ideal, we often refer to a best-case scenario (it would be ideal if you were well-rested before your exam); what we're striving for (it would be ideal for all children to receive an education); or some idea of perfection (the ideal date would be dinner with your favorite movie star). If you have high ideals, you have very strong beliefs about what is good and right, and maybe even how best to save the world.

Definitions of ideal

1. noun

   the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
   types:

   value

   an ideal accepted by some individual or group

   beau ideal, idol, paragon, perfection

   an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept

   criterion, standard

   the ideal in terms of which something can be judged

   example, exemplar, good example, model

   something to be imitated

   ego ideal

   (psychoanalysis) the part of the ego that contains an ideal of personal excellence toward which a person strives

   control, control condition

   a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment

   introject

   (psychoanalysis) parental figures (and their values) that you introjected as a child; the voice of conscience is usually a parent's voice internalized

   gold standard

   a paragon of excellence

   design criteria

   criteria that designers should meet in designing some system or device

   beaut, beauty

   an outstanding example of its kind

   pacemaker, pacesetter

   a leading instance in its field

   pattern

   a model considered worthy of imitation

   prodigy

   an impressive or wonderful example of a particular quality

   principle

   a rule or standard especially of good behavior

   type of:

   idea, thought

   the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
2. noun

   model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
   synonyms: apotheosis, nonesuch, nonpareil, nonsuch, paragon, saint

   types:

   jimdandy, jimhickey

   someone excellent of their kind

   class act

   someone who shows impressive and stylish excellence

   humdinger

   someone of remarkable excellence

   type of:

   model, role model

   someone worthy of imitation
3. adjective

   conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
   synonyms:

   perfect

   being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
4. adjective

   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”

   synonyms:

   abstract

   existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment
5. adjective

   of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas
   synonyms: idealistic