Idear vs. Idea — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Fiza Rafique & Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on April 25, 2024
Idear is the incorrect spelling of idea, which refers to a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Idear or Idea
How to spell Idea?
Idear
Incorrect Spelling
Idea
Correct Spelling
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Focus on the standard English pronunciation, which does not suggest an 'r' sound at the end of idea.
Remember that "idea" comes from the Greek "idein," which does not include an 'r' at the end.
The correct spelling, idea, follows the typical English word ending with "a" for abstract concepts, like "area" or "era."
How Do You Spell Idea Correctly?
Incorrect: She presented her idear with enthusiasm at the meeting.
Correct: She presented her idea with enthusiasm at the meeting.
Incorrect: His latest idear seemed promising, but it lacked detail.
Correct: His latest idea seemed promising, but it lacked detail.
ADVERTISEMENT
Incorrect: They discarded the old idear after some discussion.
Correct: They discarded the old idea after some discussion.
Incorrect: What do you think of his new business idear?
Correct: What do you think of his new business idea?
Incorrect: I can’t seem to form a clear idear on this topic.
Correct: I can’t seem to form a clear idea on this topic.
Idea Definitions
A thought or suggestion aimed at solving a problem.
She had a brilliant idea to solve the budgeting issue.
In common usage and in philosophy, ideas are abstract concepts. Also in philosophy, ideas can also be mental representational images of some object.
A thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action
Recently, the idea of linking pay to performance has caught on
It's a good idea to do some research before you go
The aim or purpose
I took a job with the idea of getting some money together
(in Platonic thought) an eternally existing pattern of which individual things in any class are imperfect copies.
Something, such as a thought or conception, that is the product of mental activity.
An opinion, conviction, or principle
Has some strange political ideas.
A plan, purpose, or goal
She started school with the idea of becoming a doctor.
The gist or significance
The idea of the article is that investing in green technology can save you money in the long run.
A sense that something can happen; a notion or expectation
They have this idea that we can just drop what we're doing and go to the park.
(Music) A theme or motif.
In the philosophy of Plato, a non-physical form or archetype to which beings in phenomenal reality correspond only as imperfect replicas.
In the philosophy of Kant, a concept of reason that is transcendent but nonempirical.
In the philosophy of Hegel, absolute truth; the complete and ultimate product of reason.
(Obsolete) A mental image of something remembered.
(philosophy) An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
(obsolete) The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal.
(obsolete) The form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic.
An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory.
The mere idea of you is enough to excite me.
More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking.
A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention.
I have an idea of how we might escape.
A purposeful aim or goal; intent
Yeah, that's the idea.
A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression.
He had the wild idea that if he leant forward a little, he might be able to touch the mountain-top.
(music) A musical theme or melodic subject.
The transcript, image, or picture of a visible object, that is formed by the mind; also, a similar image of any object whatever, whether sensible or spiritual.
Her sweet idea wandered through his thoughts.
Being the right idea of your fatherBoth in your form and nobleness of mind.
This representation or likeness of the object being transmitted from thence [the senses] to the imagination, and lodged there for the view and observation of the pure intellect, is aptly and properly called its idea.
A general notion, or a conception formed by generalization.
Alice had not the slightest idea what latitude was.
Hence: Any object apprehended, conceived, or thought of, by the mind; a notion, conception, or thought; the real object that is conceived or thought of.
Whatsoever the mind perceives in itself, or as the immediate object of perception, thought, or undersanding, that I call idea.
A belief, option, or doctrine; a characteristic or controlling principle; as, an essential idea; the idea of development.
That fellow seems to me to possess but one idea, and that is a wrong one.
What is now "idea" for us? How infinite the fall of this word, since the time where Milton sang of the Creator contemplating his newly-created world, -"how it showed . . . Answering his great idea," -to its present use, when this person "has an idea that the train has started," and the other "had no idea that the dinner would be so bad!"
A plan or purpose of action; intention; design.
I shortly afterwards set off for that capital, with an idea of undertaking while there the translation of the work.
A rational conception; the complete conception of an object when thought of in all its essential elements or constituents; the necessary metaphysical or constituent attributes and relations, when conceived in the abstract.
A fiction object or picture created by the imagination; the same when proposed as a pattern to be copied, or a standard to be reached; one of the archetypes or patterns of created things, conceived by the Platonists to have excited objectively from eternity in the mind of the Deity.
Thence to behold this new-created world,The addition of his empire, how it showedIn prospect from his throne, how good, how fair,Answering his great idea.
The content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about;
It was not a good idea
The thought never entered my mind
A personal view;
He has an idea that we don't like him
An approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth;
An estimate of what it would cost
A rough idea how long it would take
Your intention; what you intend to do;
He had in mind to see his old teacher
The idea of the game is to capture all the pieces
(music) melodic subject of a musical composition;
The theme is announced in the first measures
The accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it
A concept or mental impression.
Her idea to improve workflow efficiency was well received by the team.
An opinion or belief.
His idea that the project would succeed was based on thorough research.
A plan or intention.
The idea of going on a road trip excited everyone involved.
A notion, derived from experience or the imagination.
The book is based on the idea that people can change at any age.
Idea Meaning in a Sentence
Her innovative idea won the science fair.
Her idea was to start a community garden that could benefit everyone.
The idea to use solar power has become more popular.
She shared her idea for a new app with the developer.
The teacher asked the students to write about their best idea for a new game.
He had an idea to use recycled materials for art projects.
His idea to improve safety measures was implemented immediately.
She came up with a great idea for her birthday party.
The idea of adopting a pet came to her suddenly.
It was his idea to organize a neighborhood clean-up.
They floated the idea of a partnership during the meeting.
Her idea was to write a blog about sustainable living.
His idea was simple but effective.
Her idea of a perfect vacation is somewhere quiet and remote.
The idea to host virtual meetings was a success.
He suggested the idea of carpooling to reduce their carbon footprint.
Everyone liked his idea of having monthly team outings.
The idea of a four-day workweek is appealing to many.
The book expanded on the idea that small habits lead to big changes.
Idea Idioms & Phrases
Toy with the idea
To consider something casually.
She was toying with the idea of moving abroad for work.
Come up with an idea
To think of a suggestion or plan.
He came up with the idea just when it seemed all options were exhausted.
Bright idea
A clever or timely idea.
Whose bright idea was it to start the meeting at 5 PM?
The very idea!
Used to express indignation or disbelief.
The very idea of accusing me of cheating is outrageous!
Have no idea
To not know something.
I have no idea why the car won't start.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in idea?
Idea has three syllables.
How is idea used in a sentence?
Idea is used as a noun referring to a thought, suggestion, or concept.
What is the root word of idea?
The root word of idea is the Greek "idein," meaning to see.
Why is it called idea?
The term idea comes from the Greek word "idein," meaning to see, suggesting a concept one can envision or understand mentally.
How do we divide idea into syllables?
Idea is divided as i-de-a.
What is the singular form of idea?
The singular form is idea.
What part of speech is idea?
Idea is a noun.
What is a stressed syllable in idea?
The stressed syllable in idea is the second one, "de."
What is the opposite of idea?
The opposite of an idea could be a fact, as ideas are subjective while facts are objective.
What is the verb form of idea?
Idea is a noun; it does not have a verb form. However, related actions include think, suggest, or conceive.
What is the pronunciation of idea?
Idea is pronounced /aɪˈdɪə/.
Is idea a noun or adjective?
Idea is a noun.
Is idea a negative or positive word?
Idea is neutral; it can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
Is idea an abstract noun?
Yes, idea is an abstract noun.
Is idea a countable noun?
Yes, idea is a countable noun.
Is idea a collective noun?
No, idea is not a collective noun.
Is the word “idea” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Idea can be used as both a direct object and an indirect object in sentences.
What is the plural form of idea?
The plural form is ideas.
Is idea an adverb?
No, idea is not an adverb.
Is the word idea imperative?
Idea, as a noun, does not have an imperative form.
Which article is used with idea?
Both the definite article "the" and the indefinite article "an" can be used with idea, depending on the context.
Is the word idea Gerund?
No, idea is not a gerund.
Which vowel is used before idea?
Typically, no specific vowel is used before idea.
Which conjunction is used with idea?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" are commonly used with idea.
What is another term for idea?
Another term for idea is concept or notion.
Is idea a vowel or consonant?
Idea begins with a vowel sound.
Is the idea term a metaphor?
Idea itself is not a metaphor, but it can be used metaphorically to represent a thought or suggestion.
Which determiner is used with idea?
Determiners such as "a," "the," or "this" can be used with idea.
Which preposition is used with idea?
Common prepositions used with idea include "of," "for," and "about."
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Bufette vs. BuffetNext Comparison
Enrolement vs. EnrolmentAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.