ideation
4 synonyms for ideation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The process of coming up with new ideas, especially as a deliberate stage in design, marketing or product development.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ideation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ideation session
ideation phase
suicidal ideation
rapid ideation
Formal or jargonish in business contexts; strictly technical in clinical ones, where it should be used carefully.
Etymology
Formed from idea, ultimately from Greek idea meaning 'form' or 'notion', plus the noun ending -ation.
Full origin of ideation →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ideation and brainstorming?
Brainstorming is one technique, typically a group throwing out suggestions without judging them. Ideation is the whole idea-generating stage, which may include research, sketching, mapping and several rounds of brainstorming.
What does suicidal ideation mean?
It is the clinical term for thoughts about ending one's life. Passive ideation means wishing to be dead without a plan; active ideation involves intent or planning and is treated as more urgent. Anyone experiencing it should speak to a doctor or a crisis line.
Is ideation just business jargon?
In corporate use it often is, and idea generation says the same thing more plainly. The word is genuinely useful in psychology and design, where it names a specific stage or symptom.
