Words / B2

y-DEE-uh-l/aɪˈdiːəl/

Ideal means perfect, or the best you can imagine: an ideal sample; ideal conditions. Perfect is stronger and rarer in methods. As a noun: an ideal of fairness. An ideal sample would be random. Mix-up: idea is a thought (already in the dictionary). Do not call a messy compromise ideal.

Meaning

Perfect, or the best that can be imagined in the circumstances.

Examples

• “An ideal sample would be random; ours is a volunteer cohort.”
• “The site was not ideal in rain, which still needs stating in limitations.”

Good to know

an ideal + noun; ideal for. Noun: an ideal. Close: perfect. Methods and planning. Trap: idea.

Near in meaning

perfect

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