1
as in model
someone of such unequaled perfection as to deserve imitation
she is the beau ideal of the dedicated medical professional
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2
as in ideal
the most perfect type or example
Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous architectural creation, Falling Water, is widely regarded as the beau ideal of a building in harmony with its setting
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Recent Examples of beau ideal
The beau ideal of illiberal democracy is, of course, Viktor Orbán of Hungary, who outlined the term in a 2014 speech.
—
Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
At Délice & Sarrasin, a charming French bistro in the West Village, vegans can bide their time in style, enticing new recruits with the beau ideal of meatless haute cuisine.
—David Kortava, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2021
If Teddy Roosevelt was the Harvard beau ideal at the turn of the last century, Mark Zuckerberg is the Harvard man to be in the new millennium.
—William Stadiem, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2016
If Hicks is the beau ideal in today’s MLB, then Miles Mikolas is a throwback to the Roosevelt administration.
—Michael Beller, SI.com, 23 May 2018
There was a time when the beau ideal was to drive your sports car to the track, paint numbers on it, go racing and then drive home.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024
Fieg is its beau ideal.
—Kareem Rashed, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2022
At Délice & Sarrasin, a charming French bistro in the West Village, vegans can bide their time in style, enticing new recruits with the beau ideal of meatless haute cuisine.
—David Kortava, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2021
If Teddy Roosevelt was the Harvard beau ideal at the turn of the last century, Mark Zuckerberg is the Harvard man to be in the new millennium.
—William Stadiem, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2016
If Hicks is the beau ideal in today’s MLB, then Miles Mikolas is a throwback to the Roosevelt administration.
—Michael Beller, SI.com, 23 May 2018
There was a time when the beau ideal was to drive your sports car to the track, paint numbers on it, go racing and then drive home.
—Dan Neil, WSJ, 6 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beau ideal
Noun
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Kendall Jenner has crafted a simple and refined off-duty model style, looking often to The Row for individual pieces and accessories, and finding her rhythm in both high-low moments and more ladylike looks.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2025
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Breaking Down Systemic Barriers Liu believes the lack of investment in women’s health isn’t due to flawed business models, but to systemic barriers.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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With her hair slicked back, fresh, glassy cheeks were the ideal plus one.—
Akili King,
Essence,
26 Mar. 2025
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The big picture: The 1920s brought a redefinition in women's roles and ideals, from social mores to fashion.—
Erin Alberty,
Axios,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The first myth is that innovation hinges on a single monumental idea.—
Mark Nevins,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The basic idea goes back to the 1960s, when Disney started pumping smells into its theme parks, even patenting its own odor-making machine, the Smellitzer.—
Susan Campos,
The Hollywood Reporter,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This will be the first time Alinea has popped up in New York City, and the dinner will be a mix of the restaurant’s enduring classics from its two-decade history (expect some food that floats) and new experiences created specifically for the Olmsted space.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
17 Mar. 2025
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Sip on the Pineapple Suite, a tropical nod to Season 1; The Lotus, a sophisticated tribute to Taormina’s allure; Coconut Paradise, a taste of Koh Samui’s dreamy shores; or The White Lotus Gimlet, an elevated take on a classic with coconut lotus syrup.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Monday, March 17 is the holiday to celebrate everything Irish, including Saint Patrick, who was once the patron saint of Ireland.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Chicago Fire, named in honor of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, once had a meaningful emblem featuring the cross of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As selective colleges increasingly emphasize authenticity over polished perfection , this distinction has become crucial.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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The Spanish chorizo brings smoky depth, while shrimp steams to tender perfection right on top of the rice.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Canada, for example, has announced billions of dollars in retaliatory tariffs.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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And over 100-something million watched Fool Me Once, for example.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Multi-day vacations remained out of reach for most working people, and many of them resented the upper classes’ summering as a manifestation of inequality.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Mar. 2025
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Next, write down your intention or manifestation on a small piece of paper and carefully fold it.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beau ideal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beau%20ideal. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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