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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.

Without Craven to push the idea forward, aspirin’s cardiovascular benefits might have gone unnoticed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Considering the amount of comedy that was dropped on L.A. last week for the third Netflix is a Joke Festival, the idea that anyone can see it all is laughable.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Maslin said the idea of the United States being completely autonomous in terms of rare earths, from extraction to selling permanent magnets, is not far-fetched.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

This idea fits with a psychological principle known as the Yerkes-Dodson law, first proposed in 1908.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

The room tilts as my brain tries to piece together the preposterous idea she’s proposing.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam




Vocabulary lists containing idea


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