idea
nountop 1 000 in film dialogue
- United Kingdom//aɪ̯ˈdɪə̯//
- United States//aɪ̯ˈdi.ə//
- /[ɑjˈdɪː(‿ɹ)]/
- //aːˈdɪɹ//
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.
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
obsoleteThe conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal.
- 3
obsoleteThe form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic.
The remembrance whereof (which yet I beare deepely imprinted in my minde) representing me her visage and Idea so lively and so naturally, doth in some sort reconcile me unto her.
- 4
An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory.
The mere idea of you is enough to excite me.
- 5
More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking.
Now all this was very fine, but not at all in keeping with the Celebrity's character as I had come to conceive it. The idea that adulation ever cloyed on him was ludicrous in itself. In fact I thought the whole story fishy, and came very near to saying so.
Ideas won't go to jail.
- 6
A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention.
I have an idea of how we might escape.
- 7
A purposeful aim or goal; intent.
Yeah, that's the idea.
My hopes wa'n't disappointed. I never saw clams thicker than they was along them inshore flats. I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out. Clams was fairly scarce over that side of the bay and ought to fetch a fair price.
Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms. Those that want to borrow are matched with those that want to lend.
- 8
A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression.
He had the wild idea that if he leant forward a little, he might be able to touch the mountain-top.
- 9
A musical theme or melodic subject.
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.
Forms
- plural
- ideas, ideæ
idea · An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual…
ideal · Pertaining to ideas, or to a given idea.Ideal · A city in Georgia, United States.identical · Bearing full likeness by having precisely the same set of…