adjective
ideal
eye-DEERL
adjective
1
Perfect or the best possible for a given purpose.
"This spot is ideal for a picnic."
"She has the ideal temperament for teaching young children."
noun
1
A standard of perfection that people aim for, even if it can't fully be reached.
"He never quite lived up to his own ideals of honesty."
How to Use Ideal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPerfect for the purpose, or a standard of perfection someone aspires to.
Common pairings
ideal candidate
ideal world
high ideals
Word Forms
more ideal comparative, ideals plural, most ideal superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “ideal”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
This spot is _____ for a picnic.
Etymology
From Late Latin idealis ("existing in idea"), built on Latin idea; related to "idea".