ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
b
: for best results
ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant—
T. M. Martinez
T. M. Martinez
c
: in accordance with an ideal or typical standard : classically
2
: in relation to an exemplar
3
: in idea or imagination : mentally
Examples of ideally in a Sentence
His skills made him ideally suited for the job.
They were ideally suited to one another.
The ski slope was situated ideally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Guidelines recommend that people aim for 3,500 to 5,000 milligrams (mg) daily, ideally through food.
—Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2025
By the end, the old Wembley was best viewed from a distance — ideally 15 or 20 years’ distance as the crumbling concrete and antiquated facilities meant the Empire Stadium belonged in the same bygone era as its official name.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Purchasing a house allows owners to build wealth over time by making mortgage payments to reduce the loan principal and increase the owner’s stake in the home until, ideally, it’s owned outright.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
The extended season now can flow into mid-January — when transfers ideally would be enrolling at their new school.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
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Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2025
By the end, the old Wembley was best viewed from a distance — ideally 15 or 20 years’ distance as the crumbling concrete and antiquated facilities meant the Empire Stadium belonged in the same bygone era as its official name.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Purchasing a house allows owners to build wealth over time by making mortgage payments to reduce the loan principal and increase the owner’s stake in the home until, ideally, it’s owned outright.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
The extended season now can flow into mid-January — when transfers ideally would be enrolling at their new school.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
Cite this Entry
“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
: in agreement with an ideal : perfectly
ideally suited to the job
2
: for best results
ideally, each student should arrive early
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