ideally

adverb

ide·​al·​ly ī-ˈdē-ə-lē How to pronounce ideally (audio)
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
Synonyms of ideallynext
1
a
: conformably to or in respect to an ideal : perfectly
He would have liked to live in a world of ideally united couples, himself ideally united …—P. G. Wodehouse
b
: for best results
Ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant …—T. M. Martinez
c
: in accordance with an ideal or typical standard : classically
2
: in relation to an exemplar
3
: in idea or imagination : mentally
… was afraid of the gallows. She was terrified of them ideally. Having never set eyes on that last argument of men's justice …—Joseph Conrad

Synonyms of ideally

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Examples of ideally in a Sentence

His skills made him ideally suited for the job. They were ideally suited to one another. The ski slope was situated ideally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Amenities and experiences Be sure to carve out some time at the bathhouse and infinity pool—ideally post-hike. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Lin, who was hired by Bajaria, was brought in to curb spending while (ideally) increasing the quality of the entire film slate, not just the titles from big-name directors. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026 The American Heart Association (AHA) currently recommends limiting your sodium to 2,300 mg per day, and ideally 1,500 mg per day. — Md Published, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2026 Schwartz had hung a lock-on stand on the edge of a bean field, and it was positioned ideally for a northwest wind. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ideally

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of ideally was in 1598

Rhymes for ideally

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Browse Nearby Words

idealless
ideally
idealness
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Cite this Entry

“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ideally

adverb
ide·​al·​ly ī-ˈdē-ə-lē How to pronounce ideally (audio)
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
: in agreement with an ideal : perfectly
ideally suited to the job
2
: for best results
ideally, each student should arrive early
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