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

Pragmatism, idealism, defence-first, attack-first; whatever the approach, the results haven’t consistently improved for some time now. —Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

Year by year, exhibition by exhibition, housesit by housesit, Wilson shows how the art world left him dirt poor despite his ever-growing CV, took a toll on his mental and physical health, and killed his idealism. —Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024

Temper your idealism while the moon confronts Venus and Saturn. —USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024

The company and town formed a polychrome ball of altruistic idealism, entrepreneurial ambition and small-town drama. —Peter Rubin, Longreads, 12 Dec. 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