ideal
gb/aɪdˈiəl/ us/aɪdˈiəl/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
best possible or most suitable
The best or most right for a situation.
Usage pattern:
[something] is ideal for [purpose]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ideal' with 'idea'; remember 'ideal' describes the best situation, not a thought.
Synonyms
perfect (Implies complete flawlessness; 'ideal' can be more context-specific.)
|
optimal (More technical or formal; often used in scientific or business contexts.)
Antonyms
unsuitable (Direct opposite in terms of appropriateness for a purpose.)
|
poor (Indicates low quality or appropriateness.)
Collocations
ideal situation
|ideal candidate
|ideal conditions
|ideal solution
|ideal place
Themes
evaluation
|quality
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This hotel is ideal for a weekend getaway.
- The quiet café was the ideal place to study.
- He is the ideal person for the job.
Learner examples
- This bag is ideal for school.
- That park is ideal for children.
- She is the ideal teacher for me.
Noun
B2
entity
2
perfect example or standard
A person or thing that is seen as perfect.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is an ideal of [quality]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'ideal' as a noun with 'idea'; as a noun, it means a perfect example, not just a thought.
Synonyms
model (Suggests something to be copied; less abstract than 'ideal'.)
|
paragon (Formal; means a perfect example of a quality.)
Antonyms
flaw (Opposite in the sense of imperfection.)
|
compromise (Opposite in the sense of settling for less than perfect.)
Collocations
moral ideal
|romantic ideal
|artistic ideal
Themes
philosophy
|values
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was his ideal of beauty.
- The community works toward the ideal of equality.
- Honesty is an important ideal in their culture.
Learner examples
- My father is my ideal.
- Peace is my ideal.
- She is my ideal of kindness.
adjective
formal
B2
property
3
existing only as perfect in theory
Perfect but only in thought, not real.
Synonyms
imaginary (Not real; exists only in the mind.)
|
utopian (Impractical or impossibly perfect.)
Antonyms
realistic (Possible and practical in real life.)
Collocations
ideal world
|ideal conditions
Themes
philosophy
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In an ideal world, there would be no poverty.
- This plan is based on an ideal situation that may never happen.
- His vision of society was purely ideal and impractical.
Learner examples
- In an ideal world, everyone is happy.
- This is only an ideal plan.
- Her dream is an ideal life without problems.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ideal
IPA
GB/aɪdˈiəl/
US/aɪdˈiəl/
Syllables & stress
ideal (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ideal
Noun
- Base: ideal
- Plural: ideals
Word family
Forms
ideals
noun
Core family
ideally
adverb B1
Related words
Advanced or less common
idealize
verb
idealization
noun
Expressions
in an ideal world
1/ˈɪn ən aɪdˈiəl wˈɚld/
fixed phrase
if everything were perfect
Used to say what would happen if life was perfect, but it is not really possible.
Examples
- In an ideal world, everyone would have enough to eat.
- In an ideal world, we would finish this project early.
the ideal solution
1/ðə aɪdˈiəl səlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
best possible answer to a problem
The best answer to fix a problem.
Examples
- This plan seems like the ideal solution to our budget issues.
- Finding the ideal solution took weeks of work.