Meaning & use
idealized
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“idealized” is a form of “idealize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Shown or thought of as better or more perfect than it really is.
Grammar: Before a noun or after a linking verb: an idealized picture; the picture was idealized.
Patterns
- an idealized view of something
- idealized version of something
Her idealized memory of childhood left out the arguments.
The advert showed an idealized version of family life.
He has an idealized picture of life abroad.
adjectivebefore a nountechnical
Simplified in theory so that complicating details are ignored.
Grammar: Used mostly before a noun in science: an idealized model.
Patterns
- an idealized model of something
The physics textbook uses an idealized pendulum with no friction.
Economists work with an idealized market in this model.
An idealized circuit ignores resistance in the wires.
Word forms
| comparative | more idealized |
|---|---|
| superlative | most idealized |
Common combinations
- idealized version
- The film offers an idealized version of history.
- idealized image
- Social media often shows an idealized image of life.
- idealized portrait
- The painter made an idealized portrait of the queen.
- idealized view
- Her idealized view of marriage did not last.
- idealized model
- An idealized model helps explain the basic idea.
Synonyms and how they differ
- romanticized
- Romanticized stresses making something seem charming or emotional, while idealized suggests perfection.
- glorified
- Glorified suggests praising too much, whereas idealized suggests removing flaws.
- unrealistic
- Unrealistic is a simple judgment, but idealized implies an attractive, improved picture.
- perfected
- Perfected means truly improved, but idealized means only imagined as perfect.
Opposites
Word family
- idealize verb
- to treat as perfect
- idealization noun
- the act of making something seem perfect
- idealism noun
- belief in high ideals
- ideal noun
- a perfect standard
- idealist noun
- a person guided by ideals
Commonly confused: idealized or idyllic?
idealized vs idyllic
Idyllic means peaceful and beautiful in a real way, while idealized means imagined as perfect.
Practice
The travel brochure gave an ___ picture of the town, hiding the traffic and noise.
Choose one answer.
Hiding flaws makes the picture idealized. Accurate and honest would contradict the hiding.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “idealized”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.