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idea

noun
\ ī-ˈdē-ə How to pronounce idea (audio) , -ˈdēə also ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə or ˈī-dē\

Definition of idea

1 : a formulated thought or opinion
2 : whatever is known or supposed about something a child's idea of time
3 : the central meaning or chief end of a particular action or situation
4a : a plan for action : design
b : a standard of perfection : ideal
c : a transcendent entity that is a real pattern of which existing things are imperfect representations
5a : an entity (such as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness
b : an indefinite or unformed conception
c obsolete : an image recalled by memory
6 Christian Science : an image in Mind
7 archaic : a visible representation of a conception : a replica of a pattern
Other Words from idea Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about idea

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Other Words from idea

idealess \ Ä«-​ˈdÄ“-​É™-​lÉ™s How to pronounce idealess (audio) , -​ˈdÄ“É™-​ also  ˈī-​(ËŒ)dÄ“-​É™-​ or  ˈī-​dÄ“-​ \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for idea

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed. innovative ideas my idea of paradise concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be. a society with no concept of private property conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result. our changing conception of what constitutes art thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining. commit your thoughts to paper notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental. you have the oddest notions impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses. the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of idea in a Sentence

My idea is to study law. Starting her own business seemed like a good idea at the time, but it turned out badly. Whose idea was it to leave so early? My idea was that if we left early we could beat the crowd. Buying the car was a bad idea. I have some ideas for redecorating the room. He has an idea for a movie. I'm not sure what to do next. Do you have any ideas? She's always full of new ideas. It's a good idea to talk to people who have actually been there.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Correctional officials here and elsewhere, including many of the Massachusetts sheriffs, have long resisted the idea of providing buprenorphine or methadone. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Seven jails start providing medications for addiction in pilot program," 5 Sep. 2019 Now Hyundai, one of the world’s largest automakers, is exploring the idea of using e-scooters as a compliment to their vehicles instead of an alternative. — Peter Holley, Washington Post, "Hyundai’s solution for navigating traffic-clogged cities: mounting an electric scooter on your car," 5 Sep. 2019 In June, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles said the track is still exploring the idea of moving the race from the oval to the road course. — Tyler Kraft, Indianapolis Star, "NASCAR drivers open to Brickyard 400 changes to increase fan interest," 5 Sep. 2019 The Beavers like the idea of playing this game in Hawaii. — oregonlive, "Canzano: Oregon State-Hawaii football broadcast creates a storm of Pac-12 discussion," 4 Sep. 2019 Where her mother helped to broaden the idea of what a model can do, Gerber has given Gen-Z a taste of old-school runway magic. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber Just Joined Vogue’s Forces of Fashion," 4 Sep. 2019 What motivated me as a young chef in the first place was this idea of living a really creative lifestyle. — Katianna Hong, Bon Appétit, "I Used to Love the Fine-Dining Grind. Then I Wanted to Start a Family.," 3 Sep. 2019 From Moscow to Denver, election officials and startups have embraced the idea of voting on the blockchain as a way to make mobile voting safer. — Wired, "Wouldn’t It Be Great If People Could Vote on the Blockchain?," 3 Sep. 2019 Have to spread the word about an impending layoff, drop the ball about a reduction in benefits, or sell the idea of a merger or corporate reorganization? — Scott Steinberg, Quartz at Work, "How to tell your team about a management decision you don’t agree with," 3 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idea.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of idea

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4c

History and Etymology for idea

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, from idein to see — more at wit

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More Definitions for idea

idea

noun
How to pronounce idea (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of idea

: a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do
: an opinion or belief
: something that you imagine or picture in your mind

See the full definition for idea in the English Language Learners Dictionary

idea

noun
\ ī-ˈdē-ə How to pronounce idea (audio) \

Kids Definition of idea

1 : a thought or plan about what to do Surprising her was a bad idea.
2 : something imagined or pictured in the mind I had an idea of what the town was like.
3 : an understanding of something I have no idea what you me

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