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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.

An office that oversees grants under the IDEA, which funds special education for 7 million disabled students?

From Slate • Jul. 15, 2025

That would be a straightforward violation of Section 504 and the ADA, but not of the IDEA.

From Slate • Jul. 9, 2025

The report by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, or International IDEA, concluded that “democratic institutions are falling short of people’s expectations.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2024

In 2018, the society started IDEA, an initiative to reform its workplace to reflect inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, Brewer said.

From Washington Post • Oct. 27, 2021

If I'd had enough rocks, I would have added, "AWESOME IDEA!!!"

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir




Vocabulary lists containing idea


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