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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.

ML: In the early days, when we were introducing the idea of oat milk and also a voice around sustainability, it was very much out-of-home driven.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

Focusing on your trading activities, assuming your success is not relying on day trading or buying/selling individual stocks, is not a bad idea, if you’ve a proven track record.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, known for her support of boosting spending in the country, has previously dismissed the idea of hiking interest rates, though she is under pressure to bring down Japan's inflation.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

The idea has taken off on social media, with several celebrities offering their support.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2026

Others around the sides took up the idea and in a while blessed whiffs of outside air began to circle about us.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom




Vocabulary lists containing idea


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