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idea

n.
US //aɪˈdiə// UK //aɪdˈiə// idea
  1. 1 a plan or suggestion (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a plan or suggestion for a way to do something.

    a formulated plan, suggestion, or intention for a specific course of action.

    Example

    I have a great idea for a new game we can play tonight.

    Example

    The marketing team presented a brilliant idea for the summer campaign, focusing on interactive social media content rather than traditional ads.
    Pitfall
    I have a good idea for solve the problem.
    I have a good idea for solving the problem.

    After 'idea for', use the -ing form of the verb, not the infinitive.

  2. 2 a thought or concept (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a thought or an understanding of something in your mind.

    a mental concept, notion, or image formed by the mind or recalled from memory.

    Example

    The book gives you a good idea of what life was like in the past.

    Example

    The abstract nature of the theory makes it difficult for students to grasp the core idea without concrete examples.
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  1. 3 an opinion or belief (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    an opinion or belief about something.

    a belief, opinion, or doctrine held by an individual or a group.

    Example

    People have different ideas about how to raise children.

    Example

    The political philosopher challenged traditional ideas regarding the social contract and the role of the state in private life.
  2. 4 a vague feeling (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a feeling or a guess that something might be true.

    a vague notion, impression, or hunch about a situation.

    Example

    I had no idea that you were planning a surprise party for me.

    Example

    She had a vague idea that they had met before, though she couldn't recall the specific time or place.
  3. 5 philosophical archetype (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal Philosophy

    the perfect form of something that exists only in the mind.

    an abstract archetype or pure essence of a thing, often contrasted with imperfect real-world examples.

    Example

    Plato believed that every object on earth is just a copy of a perfect idea.

    Example

    In Platonic philosophy, the Idea of the Good is the ultimate object of knowledge, illuminating all other forms.
  4. 6 musical theme (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    a short piece of melody that a composer uses to build a song.

    a musical theme, melodic subject, or primary motif within a composition.

    Example

    The composer introduces the main musical idea in the first few seconds.

    Example

    The symphony develops a simple four-note idea into a complex web of contrapuntal variations across three movements.
Idioms1 entry

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