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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:

"The idea that somehow all the jobs are going to be eliminated or removed -- that's just nonsense," Huang told the G20 technology ministers.

From Barron's Sep. 2, 2026

Despite his experiences, Duncan – who has since found work as a consultant – isn't against the idea of young people raising money to take on firms from older owners.

From BBC Sep. 2, 2026

Central to this effort are the mixed-media studies that Christo would create to envision and help sell the idea of a public piece.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 2, 2026

“We have a very good idea of what our housing expenses are going to be, it’s capped at whatever our rent is,” Radman said of his and his wife’s situation as renters.

From MarketWatch Sep. 2, 2026

I tell her that he hates when we talk about her, that he cuts her face out of all our family pictures, and that he thinks me wanting to go to Sunridge is her idea.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

One of the leading ideas is a solar sail, a large reflective structure that can be pushed by light.

From Science Daily Sep. 2, 2026

Allen had a document of ideas detailing the types of characters she wanted to see depicted, including a star athlete, the first out queer character in the show’s universe and an African student.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 1, 2026

"That ultimately creates a kind of fertile ground where many good ideas can take root," he told AFP.

From Barron's Sep. 1, 2026

It’s a chance for each to reconnect with the past, though their ideas about how to do so couldn’t be more different.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 31, 2026

I have no real desire to talk about my mailbox essay after this weekend, but Luna’s bubbling with ideas.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison




Vocabulary lists containing idea


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