Synonyms for idea
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Concept
concept, notion, sense, fancy, impression, understanding, belief, conception, design, opinion, conceit, view, decision, sentiment, supposition, observation, doctrine, construct, apprehension, estimate, estimation, judgment US, judgement UK
Definitions
- n. 1
A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention.
I have an idea of how we might escape.
- n. 2
An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
Related words
- Word family
- ideal idealism idealist idealize ideate ideologue ideology
- Phrases
- idea future fixed idea
Forms
- Plural
- ideas → concepts, notions, senses, fancies…
Choose the right word
Idea is in Greek a form or an image. This high sense has nearly disappeared from the word idea, and has been largely appropriated by ideal, tho something of the original meaning still appears when in theological or philosophical language we speak of the ideas of God.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- sense Who, that has common sense, would do such a thing?
- concept The concept is quite alien to our way of thinking.
- impression His speech made a deep impression on the students.
- notion He had a notion that she was very angry with him.
- thought The professor thought it rude to say such a thing.
- intention I have no intention of fishing in troubled waters.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| idea | rising | |
| sense | rising | |
| concept | steady | |
| impression | steady | |
| notion | rising | |
| thought | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- mind1, plan1, view1, clue1
- 5 letters
- sense1, image2, theme1, fancy2
- 6 letters
- design2, theory2, desire3, belief2, notion2
- 7 letters
- thought1, opinion3, purpose2, concept2, fantasy3, essence2, conceit2
- 8 letters
- decision3, estimate3, judgment2, doctrine2
- 9 letters
- intention3, sentiment3, construct2, judgement2
- 10 letters
- impression3, conception3, estimation4
- 11 letters
- observation4, supposition4
- 12 letters
- apprehension4
- 13 letters
- understanding4, consideration5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (image2 = 2 syllables).