Definitions

idea

[ahy-dee-uh, ahy-deeuh] / aɪˈdi ə, aɪˈdiə /

NOUN

a conception or thought.

Synonyms

STRONGEST

belief concept conception conclusion design feeling form intention interpretation meaning notion objective opinion perception plan scheme sense solution suggestion theory thought understanding view

STRONG

aim approximation brainstorm clue conviction doctrine essence estimate fancy flash guess hint hypothesis import impression inkling intimation judgment object pattern purpose reason significance suspicion teaching viewpoint

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reality thing

STRONG

insignificance measurement truth

Usage

What are other ways to say idea? The noun idea, although it may refer to thoughts of any degree of seriousness or triviality, is commonly used for mental concepts considered more important or elaborate: We pondered the idea of the fourth dimension. The idea of his arrival frightened me. Thought, which reflects its primary emphasis on the mental process, may denote any concept except the more weighty and elaborate ones: I welcomed his thoughts on the subject. A thought came to him. Conception suggests a thought that seems complete, individual, recent, or somewhat intricate: The architect's conception delighted them. Notion suggests a fleeting, vague, or imperfect thought: a bare notion of how to proceed.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The idea that the region responsible for the problem could now become part of the solution is a very seductive narrative," said the head of this environmental NGO, Truls Gulowsen.

From Barron's

If the idea of watching "old people TV" is causing trouble with your teens, acknowledge their perspective, says Costa.

From BBC

High school might be a good time to conceive of ideas, but college is where to find the network of co-founders and early employees crucial to a startup’s success.

From The Wall Street Journal

The researchers propose three ideas that may help explain these patterns.

From Science Daily

The idea that we weren’t already living in paradise was unthinkable.

From Salon

idea

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words