1. (noun)ideal the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
2. (noun)ideal, paragon, nonpareil, saint, apotheosis, nonesuch, nonsuch model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
3. (adj)ideal conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
4. (adj)ideal constituting or existing only in the form of an idea or mental image or conception
"a poem or essay may be typical of its period in idea or ideal content"
5. (adj)ideal, idealistic of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of the reality of ideas