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Definitions

idea

[ahy-dee-uh, ahy-deeuh] / aɪˈdi ə, aɪˈdiə /
NOUN
a conception or thought.
Synonyms
STRONGEST
belief concept conception conclusion design feeling form intention interpretation meaning notion objective opinion perception plan scheme sense solution suggestion theory thought understanding view
STRONG
aim approximation brainstorm clue conviction doctrine essence estimate fancy flash guess hint hypothesis import impression inkling intimation judgment object pattern purpose reason significance suspicion teaching viewpoint
Antonyms
STRONGEST
reality thing
STRONG
insignificance measurement truth

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.

He’s dissuaded every client who’s raised the idea, including a doctor and an educator.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Due to mainstream media coverage, he argued, “an idea can become potent through its rapid depiction in culture—including in articles such as this one, which maxes maxxing even as it attempts to minimize it, somewhat.”

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Judge Drew Tipton, whom President Donald Trump nominated in 2020, granted the prosecutor and police’s motion to kick out the case based largely on the idea of qualified immunity.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

It’s difficult to know how many people are following through on the tax-strike idea.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

But the show hadn’t been Anna May’s idea.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.