ideal
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- perfect, archetypal, classic, complete, consummate, model, quintessential, supreme
[noun]
Synonyms:
- model, last word, paradigm, paragon, pattern, perfection, prototype, standard

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Antonyms: actual
Contrasted words: average, normal, representative, typical
Related Words: archetypal, archetypical, prototypal, prototypical

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English Thesaurus: perfect, ideal, just right, be just the thing/person, a high ideal, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. i‧deal¹ S3 W3 /ˌaɪˈdɪəl◂/ adjective
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: idéal, from Late Latin idealis, from Latin idea; ⇒ idea]

1. the best or most suitable that something could possibly be Synonym : perfect:
advice on how to reach your ideal weight
The scheme offers an ideal opportunity for youngsters to get training.
With so much rain, conditions are far from ideal.
ideal for
An elastic waist makes these jeans ideal for the larger woman.
an ideal place for a walk

2. [only before noun] an ideal world, job, system etc is one that you imagine to be perfect, but that is not likely to really exist Synonym : perfect:
In an ideal world there would be no need for a police force.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. ideal² noun [countable]

1. a principle about what is morally right or a perfect standard that you hope to achieve
ideal of
the ideal of a free and democratic society
the long-vanished ideals of the 1950s

2. a perfect example of what something should be like
ideal of
Are our ideals of beauty changing?

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ideal
adj.
VERBS be, look, seem, sound | make sth The hotel's size makes it ideal for large conferences.
consider sth
ADV. absolutely | almost | less than Language learning often takes place in a less than ideal environment.
PREP. for The houses are absolutely ideal for families with young children.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

ideal
noun
ADJ. high, lofty, noble Sam was a real leader who had high moral ideals.
unattainable This is not an unattainable ideal.
aesthetic, artistic, ethical, moral, political | democratic, liberal, revolutionary, socialist
VERB + IDEAL be committed to, be devoted to, believe in, cling to, espouse, have, support They still clung to the old ideals.
pursue, strive for | achieve, attain, be true to, conform to, live up to A journalist should always live up to the ideals of truth, decency, and justice.
fall short of This agreement falls far short of the ideal.
abandon, betray She was accused of betraying her political ideals.
embody, reflect the democratic ideals embodied in the charter

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

perfect completely suitable for something or someone:
It’s the perfect place to relax after a hard day at work.
It was a perfect day for going to the beach.
I think she would be perfect for him.
ideal very suitable and exactly what you want – often used about someone or something that you imagine, but which does not really exist:
What would be your ideal job?
She still hasn’t found her ideal man.
It is the ideal place for a vacation.
just right especially spoken very good or suitable in every way:
The weather was just right for a day at the beach.
The dress is just right for you.
be just the thing/person informal to be exactly what is needed or wanted:
Cold lemonade is just the thing on a hot day.
He’s just the person for the job.
a high ideal (also a lofty ideal formal)
Most politicians start out with high ideals.
a noble ideal
He was willing to sacrifice his life for this noble ideal.
a romantic ideal
I gave up my romantic ideal of love at the age of nineteen.
political ideals
Are you willing to fight for your political ideals?
revolutionary ideals
He still believed in the revolutionary ideals of equality and justice.
socialist/democratic/liberal ideals
He is committed to democratic ideals such as majority rule.
artistic ideals (also aesthetic ideals formal)
His father had given up artistic ideals in pursuit of money.
believe in an ideal
We believe in the ideal of justice for all.
be committed to an ideal (=believe in it strongly)
Everyone in the party is committed to the same socialist ideals.
meet/live up to your ideals (=be as good as you think something should be)
The regime is not living up to its supposed democratic ideals.
fall short of your ideals (=not be as good as you think something should be)
In appearance, she fell somewhat short of his ideals.
be true to your ideals (=to behave in the way that you believe is right)
Stick to your principles and be true to your ideals.
cling to your ideals (=continue to believe that something is good or right even when it does not seem to be like this in real life)
He is a man who still clings to ideals of loyalty and friendship.
abandon your ideals (=to stop believing in ideals)
Have these young people abandoned the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement?
betray your ideals (=to do something that is not acceptable according to your ideals)
He argues that Lenin betrayed his revolutionary ideals.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

perfect used about something that is very good in every way, and could not be better:
We had a wonderful vacation - the weather was perfect.
The meal was absolutely perfect.
She has perfect teeth.
flawless/faultless without any mistakes or faults:
His English was flawless.
a faultless performance
impeccable so good that you cannot find anything wrong with it – used especially about someone’s behaviour, taste, or experience:
The food was excellent and the service impeccable.
a man of impeccable manners, charm, and sensibility
her mother's impeccable taste in clothing
The commission was composed of economists with impeccable credentials (=very impressive qualifications and experience, which are impossible to criticize).
unspoiled (also unspoilt British English) an unspoiled area has not been changed or had ugly buildings, roads etc built on it:
a beautiful area of unspoiled countryside
ideal very suitable and exactly what you want – often used about someone or something that you imagine, but which does not really exist:
What would be your ideal job?
She still hasn’t found her ideal man.
It is the ideal place for a vacation.
just right especially spoken very good or suitable in every way:
The weather was just right for a day at the beach.
The dress is just right for you.
be just the thing/person informal to be exactly what is needed or wanted:
Cold lemonade is just the thing on a hot day.
He’s just the person for the job.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲