idea (aɪˈdɪə
)
Definitions
noun
- any content of the mind, esp the conscious mind
- the thought of something ⇒
the very idea appals me
- a mental representation of something ⇒
she's got a good idea of the layout of the factory
- the characterization of something in general terms; concept ⇒
the idea of a square circle is self-contradictory
- an individual's conception of something ⇒
his idea of honesty is not the same as yours and mine
- the belief that something is the case ⇒
he has the idea that what he's doing is right
- a scheme, intention, plan, etc ⇒
here's my idea for the sales campaign
- a vague notion or indication; inkling ⇒
he had no idea of what life would be like in Africa
- significance or purpose ⇒
the idea of the game is to discover the murderer
- philosophy
- a private mental object, regarded as the immediate object of thought or perception
- a Platonic Idea or Form
- music a thematic phrase or figure; motif
- obsolete a mental image
- See get ideas
- See not one's idea of
- See that's an idea
- See the very idea!
Alternative Forms
iˈdealess adjectiveWord Origin
C16: via Late Latin from Greek: model, pattern, notion, from idein to seeSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
plan,
scheme,
proposal,
design,
theory,
strategy,
method,
solution,
suggestion,
recommendation,
proposition,
=
notion,
thought,
view,
understanding,
teaching,
opinion,
belief,
conclusion,
hypothesis,
impression,
conviction,
judgment,
interpretation,
sentiment,
doctrine,
conception,
viewpoint,
=
impression,
estimate,
guess,
hint,
notion,
clue,
conjecture,
surmise,
inkling,
approximation,
intimation,
ballpark figure,
Quotations
"Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you have only one idea"
"A stand can be made against invasion by an army; no stand can be made against invasion by an idea"
"It is better to entertain an idea than to take it home to live with you for the rest of your life"
"Right now it's only a notion, but I think I can get the money to make it into a concept, and later turn it into an idea"
Translations
- British English:
idea
An idea is a plan or suggestion.It's a good idea to avoid salty food.aɪˈdɪə NOUN It's a good idea to avoid salty food.
- Spanish:
idea
nf
- French:
idée
nf
- German:
Idee
nf
- Chinese: 想法 n
- Arabic: فِكْرَةٌ n
- Portuguese: ideia nf
- Russian: идея nf
- Croatian: ideja nf
- Czech: nápad nm
- Danish: idé nutr
- Dutch: idee nnt
- Finnish: ajatus n
- Greek: ιδέα nf
- Italian: idea nf
- Japanese: 考え n
- Korean: 생각 n
- Norwegian: idé nm
- Polish: idea nf
- Brazilian Portuguese: ideia nf
- European Spanish:
idea
nf
- Swedish: idé nutr
- Thai: ความคิด n
- Turkish: fikir n
- Vietnamese: ý kiến n
Usage examples
Then I had another idea : `Listen, I've got a tiny bit of dope on me, enough for a joint.
, THE EXECUTION (2002)He was never attracted to the idea of classical art and timelessness but drawn towards Rococo interiors and decorative arts.
Country Life (2005)As dotcoms sought to persuade investors of the value of their big new idea , they needed some intellectual validation.
Irish Times (2002)The idea that this exercise in subsidiarity is the equivalent of the SNP's plans for separate Scottish embassies is ludicrous.
Glasgow Herald (2001)So the idea of an afterlife, whatever form it takes, contains some notion of justice.
, BEYOND FEAR (2002)