idea

noun

ī-ˈdē-ə How to pronounce idea (audio)
-ˈdēə,
also
ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə How to pronounce idea (audio)
 or  ˈī-dē
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
4
a
: 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
5
a
: 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
idealess
ī-ˈdē-ə-ləs How to pronounce idea (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.
Recent Examples on the Web An idea to eliminate the tampon tax, which was amended into Senate Bill 256 on the House side, didn't make the final cut. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 The microphone and boots were brought out onstage, yet Waybill decided against using them — which might have been a really smart idea given the way the night had been going for him. Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 These reviewers want to keep their idea of jokey, doofus Sandler — or perhaps just want to perpetuate childishness and banality, from Dune to Spider-Man and the MCU. Armond White, National Review, 8 Mar. 2024 Students need more than ganas, and relying so much on this idea is toxic and detrimental to Latinx students who constantly get this individualistic message megaphoned into them. Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 According to LinkedIn, Amber Baker is a lead creative manager with a background in video and tour production, and her resume includes generating and executing ideas for brands like McDonald’s and Balenciaga, along with artists like Gunna and Summer Walker. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 This idea that contemporary classical music and contemporary pop music could be in conversation with each other was a very new thing. Jasper Davidoff, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Apple announced two new MacBook Air models this week, with spec upgrades across the board — and a bunch of confusing ideas about how your laptop can be great at AI. David Pierce, The Verge, 7 Mar. 2024 Cities can focus on inclusivity in their tech ecosystems to ensure a range of perspectives and ideas are represented. Soulaima Gourani, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idea.' 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

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of idea was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near idea

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

idea

noun
ī-ˈdē-ə How to pronounce idea (audio)
ˈīd-(ˌ)ē-ə
1
: a plan of action : intention
my idea is to study law
2
: something imagined or pictured in the mind : notion
form an idea of a place from reading
3
: a central meaning or purpose
the idea of the game is to score goals
4
: comprehension sense 2
had no idea what he meant
5
: an opinion or belief
has some strange ideas
idealess adjective

Medical Definition

1
: an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness
2
: a formulated thought or opinion

More from Merriam-Webster on idea

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