ideal
♦ ideal /aɪd'iːəl/ (ideals)
1 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
An ideal is a principle, idea, or standard that seems very good and worth trying to achieve.
The party has drifted too far from its socialist ideals...
2 [N-SING] oft poss N
Your ideal of something is the person or thing that seems to you to be the best possible example of it.
...the Japanese ideal of beauty...
3 [ADJ]
The ideal person or thing for a particular task or purpose is the best possible person or thing for it.
She decided that I was the ideal person to take over the job...
= perfect
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
An ideal society or world is the best possible one that you can imagine.
We do not live in an ideal world...
1 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
An ideal is a principle, idea, or standard that seems very good and worth trying to achieve.
The party has drifted too far from its socialist ideals...
2 [N-SING] oft poss N
Your ideal of something is the person or thing that seems to you to be the best possible example of it.
...the Japanese ideal of beauty...
3 [ADJ]
The ideal person or thing for a particular task or purpose is the best possible person or thing for it.
She decided that I was the ideal person to take over the job...
= perfect
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
An ideal society or world is the best possible one that you can imagine.
We do not live in an ideal world...