German word

ideal

Pronunciation

IPA/ideˈaːl/

Meaning

  • adjectiveideal

Example

Das ist ein ideales Geschenk für dich.

This is an ideal present for you.

Illustration for ideal (ideal)

More examples

Der Zeitpunkt für das Treffen ist ideal.

The time for the meeting is ideal.

Core concept

The best-fitting choice for a particular role, task, or purpose.

Common phrases

  • ideale Lösung

    ideal solution

  • idealer Zeitpunkt

    ideal time

  • ideales Ergebnis

    ideal result

Similar words

perfekt: Fully complete and free from shortcomings.
optimal: Most desirable under the relevant conditions.
praktisch: Easy to use and helpful in real-life situations.

Definition in German

So beschaffen sein, dass etwas für einen Zweck besonders passend oder wünschenswert ist

Word origin

German ideal is a learned borrowing from Latin idealis, which traces back to Greek idea "form" or "concept" and originally belonged to philosophical vocabulary.

Usage tips

  • Ideal als introduces a role or function with a nominative noun, as in ideal als Geschenk, while ideal für introduces a suitable purpose or recipient.

Other meanings

  • optimaladjective
  • perfectadjective

Opposites

  • ungeeignetunsuitableadjective
  • suboptimalsuboptimaladjective

Related words

  • das Idealidealnoun
  • idealisierenidealizeverb
  • idealistischidealisticadjective

Word lists with this word