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noun Uncommon

idealism

uh-ih-DEER-lihzm
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Idealism (noun) means the tendency to hold high, sometimes unrealistic, principles or hopes about how things should be. Example: “Her idealism made her want to fix every problem in the world at once.”

noun
1
The tendency to hold high, sometimes unrealistic, principles or hopes about how things should be.
"Her idealism made her want to fix every problem in the world at once."
2
In philosophy, the view that reality is fundamentally shaped by or dependent on the mind and its ideas.
"Berkeley's idealism argued that objects only exist as far as they are perceived."

How to use idealism

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBelieving strongly in high principles or a better world, sometimes without enough regard for practical limits; also a specific school of philosophy.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the everyday sense (starry-eyed optimism) with the technical philosophical sense (a theory about the nature of reality).

Easily confused with
realism → optimism →
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Word forms

Plural
idealisms
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her _____ made her want to fix every problem in the world at once.

Etymology

First recorded in English around 1796, built from "ideal" plus the suffix "-ism".

· First attested 1796

Class of 1796 idealism joined the language around 1796.
ideology
See the full Class of 1796 →

Synonyms

View more →
high-mindedness noble-mindedness

Antonyms

pragmatism materialism physicalism

Related words

realism spirituality pragmatic materialism physicalism pragmatism utilitarianism philistinism

Rhymes for idealism

realism fatalism globalism socialism vandalism federalism radicalism capitalism liberalism surrealism journalism materialism
See all rhymes for idealism →

Frequently asked questions

What does “idealism” mean?
The word “idealism” means the tendency to hold high, sometimes unrealistic, principles or hopes about how things should be. In plain terms, believing strongly in high principles or a better world, sometimes without enough regard for practical limits; also a specific school of philosophy.
How do you pronounce “idealism”?
“Idealism” is pronounced uh-ih-DEER-lihzm (/ʌɪˈdɪəlɪz(ə)m/ in IPA).
How do you use “idealism” in a sentence?
Here is “idealism” used in a sentence: “Her idealism made her want to fix every problem in the world at once.”
What part of speech is “idealism”?
“Idealism” is a noun.
Where does the word “idealism” come from?
The word “idealism” dates back to around 1796. First recorded in English around 1796, built from "ideal" plus the suffix "-ism".
Is “idealism” a common word?
“Idealism” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “idealism” have?
“Idealism” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the tendency to hold high, sometimes unrealistic, principles or hopes about how things should be.

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