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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.

See Examples For:

But for some reason, the idea of paying $80 to attend this particular party really annoys me.

From MarketWatch Aug. 31, 2026

The basic idea is that the brain has limited resources.

From Science Daily Aug. 31, 2026

You came to a pretty definitive idea about him on the show.

From Slate Aug. 31, 2026

Although there’s no indication that Mr. Kidd is pickled in drink, it’s clear that he’s intoxicated with the idea of Oxbridge, the portmanteau that describes the elite world of Oxford and Cambridge.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 30, 2026

“It sounds like a great idea, and totally doable. Boat races, some food trucks, some carnival games.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Professor Mark Sullivan, also from the University of Southampton, said questioning established ideas and observations remains an essential part of the scientific process.

From Science Daily Aug. 29, 2026

“He’s cautious about how he reacts. … He doesn’t want people getting ideas on whether something is good or bad because he understands others have better product sense.”

From MarketWatch Aug. 29, 2026

He eventually crossed over to Adult Swim, where he found a suitable home for his mischievous ideas.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 28, 2026

"What is particularly difficult for me to accept is that his ideas are not dead," the 74-year-old said.

From Barron's Aug. 28, 2026

“I hated discussing ideas with investors,” he said, “because I then become a Defender of the Idea, and that influences your thought process.”

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis




Vocabulary lists containing idea


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