ideal

I

(New American Roget's College Thesaurus)

n. model, paragon; idol, hero; perfect example. —adj. visionary; unattainable, Platonic, abstract, Utopian, perfect; impracticable.

See imagination, nonexistence, perfection.

II

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [Typical]

Syn. prototypical, model, archetypical; see typical .

2. [Perfect]

Syn. supreme, consummate, fitting, exemplary; see absolute 1 , excellent , perfect 2 .

3. [Characterizing the unattainable]

Syn. utopian, imaginary, visionary, fanciful, unreal, abstract, quixotic, Panglossian, high-flown, impractical, impracticable, chimerical, extravagant, theoretical, in the clouds, mercurial, out of reach, dreamlike, fictitious, unearthly; see also impractical , Romantic 1 , visionary 1 .

Ant. practical*, practicable, down-to-earth.

n.

Syn. paragon, goal, prototype, standard of perfection; see model 1 .

III

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus)

I

n.

model, archetype, epitome, paragon, standard, example, acme, ne plus ultra, exemplar, ultimate, inspiration.

II

a.

1. perfect model, supreme, consummate, exemplary, optimal, classic, faultless, best, excellent, utopian.

2. conceptual imaginary, visionary, fanciful, abstract.

ANT.: 1. imperfect, flawed. 2. real, actual

IV

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I noun 1. One that is worthy of imitation or duplication: beau ideal, example, exemplar, mirror, model, paradigm, pattern, standard. See GOOD. 2. A fervent hope, wish, or goal: aspiration, dream. See HOPE. II adjective 1. Conforming to an ultimate form of perfection or excellence: exemplary, model, perfect, supreme. See GOOD. 2. Existing only in concept and not in reality: abstract, hypothetic, hypothetical, theoretical, transcendent, transcendental. See REAL.