• (RP) IPA: /aɪˈdɪə/
• (GA) IPA: /aɪˈdi.ə/
• (America, intrusive r) IPA: /aɪˈdɪɹ/
• (New Zealand) IPA: /ɑeˈdiə̯/

idea (plural ideas)

1. (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. [from 14th c.]
2. (obsolete) The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal. [16th-19th c.]
3. (obsolete) The form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic. [16th-18th c.]
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 6, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes, […], book II, printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821 ↗:

     The remembrance whereof (which yet I beare deepely imprinted in my minde) representing me her visage and Idea so lively and so naturally, doth in some sort reconcile me unto her.

4. An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory. [from 16th c.]

   The mere idea of you is enough to excite me.

5. More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking. [from 17th c.]
   • 1952, Alfred Whitney Griswold

     Ideas won't go to jail.

6. A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an intention. [from 17th c.]

   I have an idea of how we might escape.

7. A purposeful aim or goal; intent

   If you keep sweet-talking her like that, you're going to talk her right out of her pants.

   Yeah, that's the idea.

8. A vague or fanciful notion; a feeling or hunch; an impression. [from 17th c.]

   He had the wild idea that if he leant forward a little, he might be able to touch the mountain-top.

9. (music) A musical theme or melodic subject. [from 18th c.]

• (mental transcript, image, or picture) image

• Russian: иде́я

• French: idée
• German: Idee, Ahnung
• Italian: idea
• Portuguese: ideia
• Russian: иде́я
• Spanish: idea

• French: pensée
• Italian: parere, idea
• Portuguese: ideia
• Russian: представле́ние

• Russian: иде́я

• Italian: impressione
• Portuguese: noção

• Italian: tema
• Russian: те́ма