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   I·de·al

   /īˈdē(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. satisfying one's conception of what is perfect; most suitable: "the swimming pool is ideal for a quick dip" Similar perfectbest possibleconsummatesupremeabsolutecompletecopybookflawlessfaultlesswithout faultexemplaryclassicarchetypalmodelultimatequintessentialOpposite bad
   • 2. existing only in the imagination; desirable or perfect but not likely to become a reality: "in an ideal world, we might have made a different decision" Similar unattainableunachievableimpracticableunworkableunfeasibleunrealfictitioushypotheticaltheoreticalivory-toweredimaginaryidealizedutopianromanticquixoticvisionaryfancifulfairy-taleOpposite attainablereal
   • ▪ representing an abstract or hypothetical optimum: "mathematical modeling can determine theoretically ideal conditions" Similar abstracttheoreticalconceptualnotionalintellectualmetaphysicalphilosophicalacademichypotheticalspeculativeconjecturalconjecturedsuppositionalputativerare:suppositioussuppositiveideationalOpposite concrete

   noun

   • 1. a person or thing regarded as perfect: "you're my ideal of how a man should be" Similar perfectionparagonepitomene plus ultrabeau idéalnonpareilcrème de la crèmethe last wordthe ultimatea dreaminformal:one in a millionthe topsthe best/greatest thing since sliced breadthe bee's kneesarchaic:a nonesuch
   • ▪ a standard of perfection; a principle to be aimed at: "their intent is to guide and inspire psychologists toward the very highest ethical ideals of the profession" Similar modelpatternexemplarexampleparadigmarchetypeprototypecriterionyardstickprinciplestandardrule of livingmoral valuebeliefconvictionpersuasionmoralsmoralityethicscode of behaviorcode of honorideologycreedintegrityuprightnesshigh-mindednessrighteousnessvirtueprobityrectitudesense of honorhonordecencyconsciencesense of dutyscruples

   Word Origin late Middle English (as a term in Platonic philosophy, in the sense ‘existing as an archetype’): from late Latin idealis, from Latin idea (see idea).

   Scrabble Points: 6

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