idea

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A thought or suggestion about what could be done.

   Grammar: Countable: a good idea, several ideas; often idea for or to.

   Patterns

   • an idea for something
   • an idea to do something

   She had an idea for a new game.

   That's a great idea; let's try it.

   He came up with an idea to save money.

2. 2nouncountable

   A belief or opinion about something.

   Grammar: Often plural: strange ideas, new ideas.

   Patterns

   • the idea that something

   I don't like the idea that people can't change.

   Their ideas about education differ.

   He has odd ideas about money.

3. 3nounsingular

   A general understanding or rough sense of something.

   Grammar: Used with have, get or give: have no idea, get the idea.

   Patterns

   • have an idea of something
   • have no idea

   I have no idea where my keys are.

   Can you give me an idea of the cost?

   She has a clear idea of what she wants.

4. 4nounsingular

   The purpose or aim of something.

   Grammar: Often in the idea is to: the idea is to save time.

   Patterns

   • the idea is to do something

   The idea is to finish before noon.

   What's the idea of locking the door?

   The whole idea was to surprise her.

Word forms

Common combinations

good idea

Bringing a map was a good idea.

come up with an idea

We need to come up with an idea by Friday.

have no idea

I have no idea what time it is.

bright idea

Whose bright idea was it to hike in the dark?

get the idea

Get the idea? Just follow the arrows.

rough idea

Give me a rough idea of the price.

Synonyms and how they differ

thought

Thought is anything that passes through your mind, while an idea is often a plan or suggestion.

suggestion

A suggestion is offered to someone else, but an idea can stay in your own head.

concept

Concept is more formal and abstract, as in a scientific concept.

notion

Notion is a vague or often doubtful belief.

Word family

ideal adjective

perfect or best possible

ideally adverb

in the best possible case

idealize verb

to see as perfect

ideology noun

a set of beliefs of a group

idea-driven adjective

guided by concepts

Commonly confused: idea or ideal? idea or idle?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “idea”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words