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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 \ ī-​ˈdē-​ə-​ləs How to pronounce idealess (audio) , -​ˈdēə-​ also  ˈī-​(ˌ)dē-​ə-​ or  ˈī-​dē-​ \ 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

 Bowler had no idea that the visit would transform his life. — David Maurice Smith, Smithsonian, "A 42,000-Year-Old Man Finally Goes Home," 23 Aug. 2019 Even now, few officials seem to have any idea what to do about swatting. — Emma Grey Ellis, WIRED, "Swatting Is a Deadly Problem—Here's the Solution," 22 Aug. 2019 The idea of having a private foundation handle at least some of any money from an opioid settlement isn't new. — Julie Carr Smyth, Cincinnati.com, "John Kasich, Gordon Gee team up to steer opioid settlement cash to hospitals," 22 Aug. 2019 When the brothers were pitching the show, which was originally called Montauk, the brothers already had an idea of who Will would be. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "The "Stranger Things"'s Creators May Have Just Revealed Whether Will Byers is Gay," 19 Aug. 2019 The powerful pro-business lobby previously advocated for economist Milton Friedman’s idea of shareholder primacy: Maximization of profits is the only driving force that matters when a company is making a decision. — Heather Landy, Quartz at Work, "Not everyone is on board with a major business lobby’s new definition of corporate purpose," 19 Aug. 2019 Mike Johnson: My mind-set going into Paradise was to be open to the idea of love and try to avoid conflicts as much as possible. — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, "Mike Johnson Says We’ll Find Out His Relationship Status Sooner Than You Think," 19 Aug. 2019 Then a young ornithologist named George Archibald had an idea. — Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, "The Trump Administration Finds a New Target: Endangered Species," 16 Aug. 2019 Needless to say, our focus group of 10- to 15-year-olds had no idea how to identify this. — Mac Schwerin, Vox, "The case against summer camp," 16 Aug. 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 mean.
4

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