ideal
/ai'diəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Relating to a perfect standard or concept: Representing the best possible example or a standard of perfection.
- Existing only in the mind or as an idea: Not existing in reality but conceived as a perfect model.
- Philosophical doctrine: Of or relating to the theory that ideas are the true reality.
Noun:
- A standard of perfection: A principle or value that one actively pursues as a goal.
- A person or thing regarded as perfect: A model of excellence or perfection.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- She is the ideal candidate for the job. (She perfectly matches all the desired qualities.)
- The weather was ideal for a picnic. (The weather conditions were perfectly suited for the activity.)
- He has an ideal vision of a peaceful world. (He holds a perfect, though perhaps not real, concept of peace.)
Noun:
- He has high ideals about honesty and integrity. (He holds honesty and integrity as perfect standards to follow.)
- The democratic ideal is based on freedom and equality. (Democracy is conceived as a perfect model incorporating these principles.)
- She was his ideal of beauty. (She perfectly embodied his concept of beauty.)
Advanced Usage
- In a philosophical context: Refers to the nature of ideas as the fundamental reality.
- Plato's theory of Forms deals with the ideal, perfect versions of things.
- In mathematics: Refers to a special subset of a ring, an ideal (e.g., principal ideal).
- The set of all even integers forms an ideal in the ring of integers.
Variants and Related Words
- Ideally (adverb): In a perfect or most suitable way.
- Ideally, we should finish by Friday.
- Idealism (noun): The practice of forming or pursuing ideals, especially unrealistically. In philosophy, the theory that ideas are the only reality.
- Idealist (noun): A person who is guided more by ideals than by practical considerations.
- Idealize (verb): To regard or represent as perfect or better than in reality.
- He tends to idealize his childhood.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Perfect, exemplary, model, ultimate, archetypal, conceptual, notional.
- Noun: Principle, standard, model, paragon, epitome, perfection, paradigm.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Real, actual, flawed, imperfect, practical.
- Noun: Reality, practice.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- The ideal and the real: The contrast between perfect concepts and actual reality.
- His work explores the tension between the ideal and the real.
- To live up to an ideal: To match or achieve a perfect standard.
- It is difficult to live up to such high ideals.
Adjective
- of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas
- constituting or existing only in the form of an idea or mental image or conception
- a poem or essay may be typical of its period in idea or ideal content
- conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
Noun
- model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
- the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain