First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
idea
noun \ī-ˈdē-ə, -ˈdēə also ˈī-(ˌ)dē-ə or ˈī-dē\
: a thought, plan, or suggestion about what to do
: an opinion or belief
: something that you imagine or picture in your mind
Full Definition of IDEA
1
2
archaic : a visible representation of a conception : a replica of a pattern
3
a obsolete : an image recalled by memory b : an indefinite or unformed conception c : an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness
4
: a formulated thought or opinion
5
: whatever is known or supposed about something <a child's idea of time>
6
: the central meaning or chief end of a particular action or situation
7
Christian Science : an image in Mind
— idea·less \-ləs\ adjective
See idea defined for English-language learners
See idea defined for kids
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Origin of IDEA
Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, from idein to see — more at wit
Related to IDEA
- Synonyms
- abstraction, cogitation, concept, conception, image, impression, intellection, mind's eye, notion, picture, thought
Synonym Discussion of IDEA
idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed <innovative ideas> <my idea of paradise>. concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be <a society with no concept of private property>. conception is often interchangeable with concept ; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result <our changing conception of what constitutes art>. thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining <commit your thoughts to paper>. notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental <you have the oddest notions>. impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses <the first impression is of soaring height>.
IDEA Defined for Kids
idea
noun \ī-ˈdē-ə\
Definition of IDEA for Kids
1
: a thought or plan about what to do <Surprising her was a bad idea.>
2
: something imagined or pictured in the mind <I had an idea of what the town was like.>
3
: an understanding of something <I have no idea what you mean.>
4
: a central meaning or purpose <The idea of the game is to keep from getting caught.>
5
: an opinion or belief <What gave you that idea?>
Medical Dictionary
idea
noun \ī-ˈdē-ə, ˈīd-(ˌ)ē-ə\
Medical Definition of IDEA
1
: an entity (as a thought, concept, sensation, or image) actually or potentially present to consciousness
2
: a formulated thought or opinion
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Seen & Heard
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