WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
i•de•al•ly /aɪˈdiəli/USA pronunciation
adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- according to an ideal;
perfectly:ideally graceful and beautiful. - according to one's wishes, even if impossible:Ideally I'd like to finish by next month.
i•de•al•ly
(ī dē′ə lē),USA pronunciation adv.
- in accordance with an ideal;
perfectly. - in theory or principle.
- in idea, thought, or imagination.
- ideal + -ly 1590–1600
'ideally' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
bee's knees
- generative grammar
- preferably
- ready-made
- alphabet
- asrama
- Eutopia
- female
- male
- manly
- Mr. Cool
- perfectly
- womanly