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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.

This reinforces our assertion that investors, including market makers and oil traders, have no idea how to price oil to reflect war risks.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Sabel and Pender founded the company in 2013 with the idea to combine midsize, prefabricated LNG units into a new export terminal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Beneath the excess, there is a solid idea: smoke, spice, cream, pasta.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

But new research is challenging that idea, pointing to a more complex system involving other types of brain cells.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

I knew he liked me, but Ma’s idea that we were going to come to some arrangement in such a short time was too ridiculous.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu