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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.

Their victory laid the foundation for the IDEA, securing the right to a free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability.

From Slate • Jul. 9, 2025

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

From Slate • Jul. 9, 2025

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, or International IDEA, said in a statement that the content in the mVoter2020 mobile application “is the sole responsibility” of Myanmar’s Union Election Commission.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 1, 2020

The nation’s school districts are federally mandated to provide America’s seven million students with disabilities an education tailored to their individual needs under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA.

From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2020

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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