idea
Pluralideas
- 1A thought or notion that forms in your mind.
Like a small picture that appears in your mind.
A strange idea popped into my head while I was walking home.
She shared her ideas about the school play with everyone.
UsageSay have an idea or get an idea, and ideas about something.
Similarthought, notion, concept, belief, view
Note
- 2A plan in your mind for something you want to do.
Like a small plan you make in your head before you start.
I have an idea for how we can save money this year.
Her idea was to plant a garden behind the house.
UsageSay an idea for a trip. It's a good idea to rest means you should rest.
Similarplan, proposal, scheme, suggestion, concept
- 3Knowledge or understanding of something, often only a little, used especially to say how much someone knows.
I have no idea where I left my keys.
This map should give you a rough idea of how far the lake is.
UsageSay I have no idea when you do not know at all.
Similarnotion, understanding, knowledge, inkling
- 4A picture of something that forms in your mind or memory.
Like a photo of something kept inside your mind.
I still have a clear idea of my grandmother's kitchen.
Before we met, I had an idea in my head of what she looked like.
Similarimage, picture, impression
Less common meanings
- 5The aim or goal behind what you are doing.
Like the target you aim at before you throw a ball.
The whole idea of the trip was to relax and rest.
What's the idea behind these new rules?
UsageSay the idea is to win. That's the idea! means you are doing it right.
Similaraim, point, purpose, goal, object
Note
- 6A vague feeling or guess about something that you are not sure of.
I had an idea that something was wrong before he even spoke.
Grandma had an idea it would rain today, so she took her umbrella.
UsageI have an idea she is sad means you think so but are not sure.
- 7A perfect form of something that real examples can only copy, never match.
Like a perfect drawing that every real copy tries to match but never can.
To Plato, every chair is just a weak copy of the perfect idea of a chair.
The idea of beauty itself is far greater than any beautiful thing we see.
Similarform, archetype, essence
Note
- 8
- 9A way of seeing someone or something as the perfect example of a kind.
Note
- 10The form or shape of a thing, the main feature that makes it what it is.
The remembrance whereof (which yet I beare deepely imprinted in my minde) representing me her visage and Idea so lively and so naturally, doth in some sort reconcile me unto her.
1603, Michel de Montaigne, The EssayesHere, Idea means her shape or form, how she looked.Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of idea apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
English took it from Latin idea, which meant a Platonic idea, or archetype. The Latin word came from the Ancient Greek idéa, a notion or pattern, and that came from eídō, "I see."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- English borrowed idea from Latin idea. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin idea meant a Platonic idea or archetype. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin idea came from Ancient Greek idéa. en.wiktionary.org
- Ancient Greek idéa meant notion or pattern. en.wiktionary.org
- Ancient Greek idéa derived from eídō, meaning “I see.” en.wiktionary.org