Idealistic

ˌaɪdiəˈlɪstɪk

adjectivemedium📊CommonPersonality Trait
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

1

Holding or pursuing ideals, often to an impractical or unrealistic degree.

ˌaɪdiəˈlɪstɪk

adjectivepositivemedium
Personality Trait

Having or characterized by ideals; impractical; visionary.

She was an idealistic young woman, determined to change the world.

💡 Simply: Being super excited about making the world a better place, even if it seems like a bit of a dream. Like, believing everyone can be friends and there will be no more problems!

👶 For kids: Thinking the world could be perfect and believing good things will happen.

More Examples

2

His idealistic vision of the future clashed with the harsh realities of the present.

3

The idealistic plans of the reformers were often met with resistance.

How It's Used

Politics

"The idealistic politician believed in a society free of poverty and inequality."

Philosophy

"His idealistic worldview prioritized moral principles over practical concerns."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

pie in the sky

Something that is hoped for but unlikely to happen.

"His plan to build a spaceship and travel to Mars was just pie in the sky."

From 'ideal' (a concept of perfection) + '-istic' (a suffix indicating a characteristic). Originates in the early 19th century, reflecting the philosophical movements emphasizing the importance of ideals and abstract principles.

The term gained traction during the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of Romanticism and philosophical movements emphasizing the power of ideas.

Memory tip

Imagine an 'ideal' world, very perfect. The 'istic' part means having this perfect vision.

Word Origin

LanguageGreek
Original meaning

"idea (from Greek 'idea', meaning 'form' or 'pattern')"

idealistic visionidealistic goalsidealistic approachidealistic beliefsidealistic person

Common misspellings

idealistcidealistical

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written