ideanoun
uk/aɪˈdɪə/us/aɪˈdiː.ə/idea noun (SUGGESTION)
A2 [ C ] a suggestion or plan for doing something:
I've had an idea - why don't we go to the coast?
"Let's go swimming." "That's a good idea!"
If you have any ideas for what I could buy Jack, let me know.
That's when I first had the idea of starting (= planned to start) my own business.
I like the idea of living in the countryside but I'm not sure I'd like the reality.
She's full of bright (= good) ideas.
[ + to infinitive ] It was Kate's idea to hire bikes.
It's not a good idea to drive for hours without a rest.
More examples
- It was such a brilliant idea - a real stroke of genius.
- I'll mention your ideas to Jacinta.
- She has a lot of interesting ideas, but they're not very practical.
- He had some crazy idea about turning waste paper into animal food.
- It's a good idea to read up on a company before going for an interview.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Ideas, concepts and theories
- abstract
- afterthought
- brainchild
- concept
- conception
- construct
- dogma
- fancy
- intellectual property
- IP
- ism
- meat
- motif
- proposition
- punctuated equilibrium
- sacred cow
- straw man
- tenet
- the domino theory
- thrust
See more results »
idea noun (KNOWLEDGE)
B2 [ S or U ] an understanding, thought, or picture in your mind:
Do you have any idea of what he looks like?
Can you give me an idea of the cost (= can you tell me approximately how it costs)?
I don't like the idea of living so far away from my family.
[ + question word ] I haven't the slightest/faintest idea where they've gone.
I've got a pretty good idea why they left early.
have no idea
B1 informal to not know something:
"Where's Serge?" "I've no idea."
More examples
- I hadn't the slightest idea what he was talking about.
- I've got a pretty good idea of how to get there.
- I've no idea how to set about changing a tyre on a car.
- Is that the time? I'd no idea it was so late.
- She has a romantic idea of what it's like to be a struggling young artist.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Ideas, concepts and theories
- abstract
- afterthought
- brainchild
- concept
- conception
- construct
- dogma
- fancy
- intellectual property
- IP
- ism
- meat
- motif
- proposition
- punctuated equilibrium
- sacred cow
- straw man
- tenet
- the domino theory
- thrust
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Knowledge and awareness
idea noun (BELIEF)
B1 [ C ] a belief or opinion:
We have very different ideas about disciplining children.
[ + that ] Dr Leach puts forward the idea that it is impossible to spoil a child.
I'm not married - where did you get that idea (= what made you believe that)?
More examples
- Some people have the idea that national identity will be lost as a result of European integration.
- I'm very much against the idea that it is the woman's job to bring up the child.
- Do you agree with the idea that violence on television has a harmful effect on children?
- Everyone has their own ideas about the best way to bring up children.
- Lenin carried Marx's ideas a stage further by putting them into practice.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Opinions, beliefs and points of view
- article of faith
- attitude
- attitudinal
- baggage
- banner
- be a matter of opinion idiom
- eye
- judgment
- manifesto
- matter
- mindset
- mythology
- notion
- stand
- turn of mind
- voice
- what makes sb tick idiom
- your idea of sth idiom
- your two cents' worth idiom
- youth culture
See more results »
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Ideas, concepts and theories
idea noun (PURPOSE)
C1 [ S ] a purpose or reason for doing something:
The idea of the game is to get rid of all your cards as soon as you can.
The whole idea (= only purpose) of advertising is to make people buy things.
The idea behind the lottery is to raise money for good causes.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Goals and purposes
- affordance
- aim
- ambition
- aspiration
- avail
- cause 1
- dedicated
- deliverable
- end
- object
- objective
- order
- orientation
- point
- poodle
- poodle around (sth)
- prize
- purpose
- should
- utility
See more results »
Idiom(s)
your idea of sth
put ideas into sb's head
what an idea!
you have no idea