a conception of something in its perfection.

a standard of perfection or excellence.

a person or thing conceived as embodying such a conception or conforming to such a standard, and taken as a model for imitation

Thomas Jefferson was his ideal.

an ultimate object or aim of endeavor, esp. one of high or noble character

He refuses to compromise any of his ideals.

something that exists only in the imagination

To achieve the ideal is almost hopeless.

Mathematics . a subring of a ring, any element of which when multiplied by any element of the ring results in an element of the subring.

conceived as constituting a standard of perfection or excellence

ideal beauty.

regarded as perfect of its kind

an ideal spot for a home.

existing only in the imagination; not real or actual

Nature is real; beauty is ideal.

advantageous; excellent; best

It would be ideal if she could accompany us as she knows the way.

based upon an ideal or ideals

the ideal theory of numbers.

Philosophy .

pertaining to a possible state of affairs considered as highly desirable.

pertaining to or of the nature of idealism.

adjective

flawed , imperfect , incorrect , problematic , wrong , actual , common , material , practical , pragmatic

noun

error , flaw , imperfection , problem , wrong

adjective

absolute , archetypal , classic , classical , complete , consummate , excellent , exemplary , fitting , flawless , have-it-all , indefectible , optimal , paradigmatic , pie-in-the-sky , prototypical , quintessential , representative , shangri-la * , supremenotes:ideal means conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; idealistic means of or pertaining to idealists or their theories , pursuing perfection , abstract , chimerical , dreamlike , extravagant , fanciful , fictitious , high-flown , hypothetical , imaginary , intellectual , in the clouds , ivory-tower , mental , mercurial , notional , out-of-reach , quixotic , theoretical , transcendent , transcendental , unattainable , unearthly , unreal , utopian * , visionarynotes:ideal means conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; idealistic means of or pertaining to idealists or their theories , model , perfect , supreme , hypothetic , theoretic , aerial , doctrinaire , faultless , idealistic , messianic , paradisaical , paradisical , platonic , poetic , romantic , sentimental , utopian , visionary

noun

archetype , criterion , epitome , example , exemplar , goal , idol , jewel , last word * , mirror , nonesuch , nonpareil , paradigm , paragon , pattern , perfection , prototype , standardnotes:ideal means conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; idealistic means of or pertaining to idealists or their theories , pursuing perfection , beau ideal , standard , aspiration , absolute , abstract , apotheosis , appearance , canonization , classic , cogitation , conception , conceptual , deification , design , dream , embodiment , exemplary , fancy , fantasy , figure , flawless , ideal , idealization , ideology , image , imaginary , imago , impression , incarnation , inkling , maxim , messianism , model , motto , norm , notion , opinion , optimal , original , perfect , personification , principle , reflection , satisfactory , spiritualization , theoretical , thought , visionary