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idea

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


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.

“Why has it taken so long? It’s hard to say, but obviously the revenue is a huge piece of it. Now, with MLB as a major investor, they’re understanding of the idea that we’re complementary.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

It’s the kind of idea that exorcists playing loose with theology might be attracted to, but not something the church itself seems inclined to back.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

Once upon a time, a dynamic young entrepreneur came to him with a brilliant idea that, on paper, could revolutionize healthcare diagnoses and reduce costs exponentially.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

The idea is to use cumulative firepower and wide-open spacing to stretch any defense—even one led by the great wall of Wembanyama—until it snaps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Joey has no idea yet how influential doctors will become in her life, but she knows this doctor is important to her.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly




Vocabulary lists containing idea


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