idealism

pronunciation

How to pronounce idealism in British English: UK [aɪˈdiːəlɪzəm]word uk audio image

How to pronounce idealism in American English: US [aɪˈdiːəlɪzəm] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    (philosophy) the philosophical theory that ideas are the only reality
    impracticality by virtue of thinking of things in their ideal form rather than as they really are
    elevated ideals or conduct; the quality of believing that ideals should be pursued

Word Origin

idealism (n.)
1796, in the abstract sense, originally "belief that reality is made up only of ideas," from ideal (adj.) + -ism; on model of French idéalisme. Meaning "representing things in an ideal form" is from 1829.

Antonym

Example

1. The country needs another burst of practical idealism .
2. Readers may now find rotblat 's idealism naive .
3. Idealism , optimism and exceptionalism have always defined the nation .
4. Shopping , travelling and real money proved far more tempting than idealism .
5. Bush 's naive idealism and unilateralism encouraged obama 's realism and multilateralism .

more: >How to Use "idealism" with Example Sentences