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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.

“The idea is not to be caught,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

It’s the idea that anyone, even someone with no coding background, can use A.I. tools like Claude Code to program for them.

From Slate • Apr. 5, 2026

Instead, Owens received an outpouring of support from fellow actors and fans who pushed back against the idea that honest work should ever be a source of embarrassment.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

"They sold a dream," she said, and they added something that was "quite new at the time - the idea that branding was as important as the product line".

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Not only did he have no idea where he was, he had no idea where he belonged.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

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