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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 is the bond market will see buying from stock investors who move out of overpriced equities, while money that was supposed to go to private credit also will be redirected into bonds.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But after feeling forgotten for most of her career, and forging ahead in spite of it, the idea of going back doesn’t scare her so much.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Like most people, I’m all in on the idea of government efficiency.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

“Close attention is likely to be paid to the core number, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, to get an idea of whether the inflation bug is spreading more broadly across the economy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

He has no idea that when we swim together, I ease up on the clock.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.