ideal
ideal
Pronunciation
Ideal
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /aɪˈdiːəl/
Syllable 1: /aɪ/
/aɪ/ as in "eye" (diphthong)
Syllable 2: /diː/
/d/ as in "dog" (voiced alveolar stop)
/iː/ as in "sheep" (long high front unrounded vowel)
Syllable 3: /əl/
/ə/ as in "about" (schwa, unstressed vowel)
/l/ as in "light" (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: ideal
Plural: ideals
Adjective:
Base form: ideal
Comparative: more ideal (less common)
Superlative: most ideal (less common)
Adverb:
Ideally (derived from adjective)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A standard of perfection; a principle or model of excellence that one strives to achieve or emulate.
Synonyms: paradigm, archetype, prototype, standard, model, epitome
Antonyms: anomaly, imperfection, deviation, flaw, deficiency
A goal or principle that inspires or motivates someone; a deeply held belief or aspiration, often related to moral or ethical standards.
Synonyms: aspiration, principle, aim, goal, vision, dream, value
Antonyms: indifference, apathy, disillusionment, pragmatism (in some contexts)
Adjective
Perfectly suitable; conforming to a high standard of perfection or excellence; optimal.
Synonyms: perfect, optimal, exemplary, ultimate, supreme, quintessential, desirable
Antonyms: imperfect, flawed, unsuitable, sub-optimal, deficient, unsatisfactory
Existing only in the imagination; not real or practical; conceptual or theoretical.
Synonyms: theoretical, abstract, conceptual, imagined, hypothetical, utopian
Antonyms: real, practical, tangible, actual, concrete, realistic
Adverb
In an ideal manner; perfectly; most desirably or suitably.
Synonyms: perfectly, optimally, flawlessly, excellently, suitably, desirably
Antonyms: imperfectly, poorly, unsuitably, badly, undesirably
Examples of Use
Books:
"The protagonist always held an ideal of justice, even when faced with overwhelming corruption." (From a fictional novel, generic example)
"Plato's theory of Forms posits that perfect, unchanging 'Forms' or 'Ideals' exist independently of the material world." (From a philosophy textbook, e.g., The Republic by Plato)
Newspapers:
"The new urban planning aims to create an ideal balance between green spaces and residential areas." (From a city planning or real estate section, generic example)
"For the ideal summer getaway, consider these secluded beach destinations offering unparalleled tranquility." (From a travel section or advertisement, generic example)
Online Publications:
"Finding the Ideal Study Environment: Tips for Maximizing Productivity." (From an educational blog or productivity website, e.g., Lifehack.org)
"Why this startup's work-life balance policy is the new ideal for tech companies." (From a business or tech news site, e.g., TechCrunch)
"Our comprehensive guide to the ideal soil composition for organic vegetable gardens." (From a gardening or sustainability website, e.g., Gardeners' World Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "He spent his life chasing an ideal of true love, only to find it where he least expected." (Dialogue or narration from a romantic drama, generic example)
Television Series: "This climate is absolutely ideal for cultivating rare orchids, Inspector." (Dialogue from a mystery or nature documentary, generic example)
Music (Song Lyrics): "You are my ideal, my perfect dream come true." (Lyric from a romantic ballad, generic example)
Video Games: "This weapon's attributes make it ideal for close-quarters combat." (In-game description or tip, e.g., Call of Duty or Elden Ring)
Podcasts: "Today, we're discussing the ideal diet for endurance athletes, debunking common myths along the way." (From a health and fitness podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"This weather is ideal for a picnic in the park." (Common casual observation)
"My ideal job would involve working outdoors and helping people." (Common expression of personal aspiration)
"That car is the ideal choice for a long road trip; it's spacious and fuel-efficient." (Common recommendation or opinion)
"She always lives up to her ideals of honesty and integrity." (Common praise for someone's character)
"It's not an ideal situation, but we'll make the best of it." (Common acknowledgement of a less-than-perfect circumstance)
10 Famous Quotes Using Ideal
"The ideal student is not necessarily the smartest, but the one who perseveres." (Lesser-known, educational context)
"Democracy is the ideal form of government, but it has its flaws." (Common political discourse)
"The ideal life is in our dreams, not in reality." (Original quote, philosophical)
"Art is not an ideal representation of nature, but the expression of human emotion." (Lesser-known, artistic context)
"A true friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." (Not using "ideal," but expressing an ideal friendship; attributed to Elbert Hubbard)
"The ideal is the enemy of the good." (Often attributed to Voltaire, though debated; implies perfectionism hinders progress)
"We aim for the ideal, but we work with the real." (Lesser-known, practical wisdom)
"My ideal day involves sunshine, a good book, and no interruptions." (Common personal expression, generic)
"The ideal leader is one who inspires, not dictates." (Common leadership principle)
"An ideal marriage is not a dream, but a constant effort." (Lesser-known, relationship advice)
Etymology
The word "ideal" has a fascinating journey through ancient languages to arrive at its modern meanings.
At its core, "ideal" traces back to the Ancient Greek word "idea" (ἰδέα), which originally meant "form," "shape," or "the look of a thing." This Greek word itself comes from a much older Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root, something like *weid-, meaning "to see" or "to know." Think of how an "idea" is something you "see" in your mind.
This Greek "idea" then made its way into Latin as "idea."
From Latin, the word evolved into Late Latin as "idealis," which meant "existing in idea" or "pertaining to an archetype or model." This is where we start to see the shift towards the modern sense of perfection or a perfect example.
So, the first known use of "ideal" in English, as an adjective, appeared in the early 15th century. At that time, its meaning was "pertaining to an archetype or model." This sense was heavily influenced by the philosophical ideas of Plato, who believed in perfect, unchanging "Forms" or "Ideals" that exist beyond our physical world.
Over time, the meaning expanded. By the 17th century, "ideal" also came to mean "conceived as perfect" or "existing only in idea." The noun form, referring to a "perfect person, thing, or state" or a "standard or model of perfection," emerged later, in the late 18th and 19th centuries, notably influenced by translations of philosophical works by thinkers like Kant.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Ideal
The ideal candidate: The perfectly suited person for a role.
An ideal world: A hypothetical perfect scenario or situation.
Ideal conditions: The perfect circumstances for something to occur.
Live up to one's ideals: To act in a way that matches one's high standards or principles.
Chasing an ideal: Pursuing a perfect but often unattainable goal.
The ideal life: A concept of perfect existence or happiness.
Idealistic thinking: Characterized by the pursuit of perfection or high principles, sometimes impractical.
To paint an ideal picture: To describe something in a perfect, often unrealistic, way. (Original phrase)
A shining example: A perfect model to be admired or emulated. (Using a synonym, "shining," for the quality of being ideal)
Hitting the bullseye: Achieving the perfect result or target. (Using a synonym, "bullseye," for ideal accuracy)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of ideal from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
