idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.
innovative ideas
my idea of paradise
concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.
a society with no concept of private property
conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.
our changing conception of what constitutes art
thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.
commit your thoughts to paper
notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.
you have the oddest notions
impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.
the first impression is of soaring height
Examples of idea in a Sentence
My idea is to study law.
Starting her own business seemed like a good idea at the time, but it turned out badly.
Whose idea was it to leave so early?
My idea was that if we left early we could beat the crowd.
Buying the car was a bad idea.
I have some ideas for redecorating the room.
He has an idea for a movie.
I'm not sure what to do next. Do you have any ideas?
She's always full of new ideas.
It's a good idea to talk to people who have actually been there.
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While your brave nature prefers fast outcomes, letting ideas mature in private should put you in a position to act with more confidence in a positive outcome.βπ Image Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026 The purpose of the TAC meetings will be to work through various ideas for rule tweaks that are chiefly related to the deployment of engine electrical energy and how the battery is recharged, especially over a single lap in qualifying.βπ Image Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 Over the next few weeks, Ahmed said the goal is for the people in the breakout groups to organize and create plans and ideas and quantify the needs of the community, and then bring everyone back together.βπ Image Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 The international organization currently has 38 member countries and offers a forum for governments to discuss policy ideas.βπ Image Alexia Aston, Oklahoman, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for idea
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, from idein to see β more at wit
