English Explanatory Dictionary

idea

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
  2. The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal.
  3. The form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic.
  4. An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory.
  5. More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking.
  6. A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention.
  7. A purposeful aim or goal; intent
  8. A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression.
  9. A musical theme or melodic subject.
name
  1. Acronym of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

Pronunciation

/aɪ̯ˈdɪə̯/ [ɑjˈdɪː(‿ɹ)] /aɪ̯ˈdi.ə/ /aɪ̯ˈdiə/ en-us-idea.ogg /aːˈdɪɹ/ [ɑeˈdiə] [-ˈdeə] /aɪˈdiː/ /ˈa(ɪ)di/ /ˈaɪɖɪa/

Word forms

idea ideas ideæ

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *weyd-der. Ancient Greek ῐ̓δεῖν (ĭdeîn) Ancient Greek ῐ̓δέᾱ (ĭdéā)der. Latin ideabor. English idea Borrowed from Latin idea (“a (Platonic) idea; archetype”), from Ancient Greek ἰδέα (idéa, “notion, pattern”), from εἴδω (eídō, “to see”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (“to know; see”). Cognate with French idée. Doublet of idée. Related to idol, idolum, and eidolon.

Synonyms

image

Related words

ideal idealism idealist ideality idealize ideate ideatum ideocracy ideologue ideology in idea

Derived words

absolute idea abstract idea all the gear and no idea buck up one's ideas business idea counteridea fixed idea get the idea get the wrong idea have no idea have the first idea idea art idea'd idea dinner ideaed ideaful idea future ideagenous idea hamster ideahood idealess idea man idea monger ideamonger idea of reference idea pot ideascape ideathon idea virus life-idea memory-idea monoideism mother-idea no idea nonidea not have the faintest idea not have the first idea one-idea overvalued idea over-valued idea received idea sense-idea simple idea subidea the very idea unideaed war of ideas what's the big idea
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