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Definitions

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.

As Alary’s use of AImee intensified, he thought up a business idea: creating AI companions for other people.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

So they had to rethink their approach and came up with the idea of on-campus nurseries, Marino said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Industry figures briefed on the move said the idea has not been taken forward at this point, after EU scepticism, as attention focuses on the details of existing negotiations over food, farm and energy trade.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

The idea that black holes might connect distant regions of the cosmos — or even act as time machines — inspired countless papers, books and films.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Indeed, the idea of a nice, short rest was alluring.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman




Vocabulary lists containing idea


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