idealism

noun

ide·​al·​ism ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌliz-əm 

ˈī-(ˌ)dē-

1

a

: the practice of forming ideals or living under their influence

b

: something that is idealized

2

a(1)

: a theory that ultimate reality lies in a realm transcending phenomena

(2)

: a theory that the essential nature of reality lies in consciousness or reason

b(1)

: a theory that only the perceptible is real

(2)

: a theory that only mental states or entities are knowable

3

: literary or artistic theory or practice that affirms the preeminent value of imagination as compared with faithful copying of nature compare realism

Examples of idealism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wonder hit the road with a brand of idealism steeped in his 1960s roots and the unity message of his personal hero the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. —Brian McCollum, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Wonder hit the road with a brand of idealism steeped in his 1960s roots and the unity message of his personal hero, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. —Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 3 Nov. 2024

That has made financing projects to supplant fossil fuels harder and contributed to the view that Petro’s idealism is hurting the country. —Justin Worland/bogotá, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

But the problem for Hernandez is that bureaucracy and political reality can be mortal enemies of progressive idealism, and the crisis isn’t being treated like one. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1743, in the meaning defined at sense 2a(1)

Kids Definition

idealism

noun

ide·​al·​ism ī-ˈdē-(ə-)ˌliz-əm 

ˈī-(ˌ)dē-

: the practice of forming ideals or living under their influence

idealist

-(ə-)ləst

noun

idealistic

(ˌ)ī-ˌdē-(ə-)ˈlis-tik

ˌī-dē-

adjective

idealistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb