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.

But even with discipline, the reason “no side quests” is such a bad idea is that success comes via surprises.

From The Wall Street Journal

The idea that jobs will disappear is the next trope to fall.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the past two weeks, the idea has sunk in that damage to global energy supplies won’t quickly be reversed.

From MarketWatch

"It has never been a marketing ploy for me... but I never had any idea how much it would facilitate our business," he said.

From BBC

The couple had no idea they had been tricked until they arrived at the airline check-in desk at London's Heathrow Airport and were told they had fake tickets.

From BBC

idea

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words