English▸ adjective
1 satisfying one's conception of what is perfect; most suitable:
the swimming pool is ideal for a quick dip
this is an ideal opportunity to save money.
2 [attributive] existing only in the imagination; desirable or perfect but not likely to become a reality:
in an ideal world, we might have made a different decision.
▪ representing an abstract or hypothetical optimum:
mathematical modelling can determine theoretically ideal conditions.
▸ noun a person or thing regarded as perfect:
you're my ideal of how a man should be.
▪ a standard or principle to be aimed at:
their intent is to guide and inspire psychologists toward the very highest ethical ideals of the profession.
– ORIGIN late Middle English (as a term in Platonic philosophy, in the sense ‘existing as an archetype’): from late Latin idealis, from Latin idea (see idea).