adj.
- most suitable; perfect.
- desirable or perfect but existing only in the imagination:
in an ideal world.
▸representing an abstract or hypothetical optimum.
n.
a person or thing regarded as perfect.
▸a standard or principle to be aimed at.
Derivative
Etymology
ME (as a term in Platonic philosophy, in the sense ‘existing as an archetype’): from late L. idealis, from L. idea (see idea).