idea
/aɪˈdɪə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A thought, plan, or picture in your mind about something. It can be a suggestion or a way to do something.
- I have an idea for the project.
- That was a good idea.
- She got the idea from a podcast.
Adinary Nuance
Idea is wider than plan and less complete than plan. An idea can be very early and vague; a plan usually has clear steps. It is also more neutral than thought, which often means a passing thing in your mind.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ý tưởng
- Spanish
- idea
- Chinese
- 想法
- Japanese
- アイデア
- Korean
- 아이디어
Etymology
Idea comes from Greek through Latin and French. In English, it has been used since the 1300s, first with the sense of a mental image or thought.
Common phrases
a good ideathe idea ofget the ideahave an idea
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between idea and plan?
- An idea is a basic thought or suggestion. A plan is more detailed and ready to act on.
- Is idea used in formal writing?
- Yes. It is common in both formal and everyday English.
- Can I say 'I have an idea' in conversation?
- Yes. It is very natural and common in spoken English.