Word
idealistic
Phoneticside·al·is·tic
US/aɪˌdiəˈɫɪstɪk/
UK/aɪdˈiəlˈɪstɪk/
Definition
adj. believing that very good things can be achieved, even when others think it is not realistic. You use this to describe someone who follows high principles or dreams of a perfect world.
adj. characterised by the pursuit of high principles or perfection, often at the expense of pragmatism. Frequently used to describe individuals or policies that prioritise moral or social goals over practical constraints.
Examples
“She has idealistic plans to end poverty in her city.”
“Many young voters are idealistic and want to see immediate, radical changes in environmental policy.”
“While critics dismissed the proposal as purely idealistic, its supporters argued that a vision of a better future was necessary to inspire meaningful legislative reform.”
Examples
simple
“She has idealistic plans to end poverty in her city.”
contextual
“Many young voters are idealistic and want to see immediate, radical changes in environmental policy.”
complex
“While critics dismissed the proposal as purely idealistic, its supporters argued that a vision of a better future was necessary to inspire meaningful legislative reform.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'remain'.
Real-World Examples
“The idealistic former president of New Zealand's progressive Labour Party became disillusioned with the organisation's direction in 1989 so he broke away to create the NewLabour Party and, later, the Alliance Party to pursue full employment and the retention of public assets.” Etymology
From idealist + -ic or ideal + -istic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
In Literature
From the Best to the Rest: Idealistic Thinking in a Non-Ideal World · 2025 · Non-fiction
- Author:
- David Wiens
David Wiens's 2025 non-fiction book asks how people can keep high ideals in a world that often falls short of them. The subtitle, 'Idealistic Thinking in a Non-Ideal World', uses the word for principled goals that may be hard to reach.
In Music
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Idealistic · 2007 · Electro house
- Artist:
- Digitalism
- Album:
- Idealism
Digitalism's 2007 track takes the word in its sense of hopeful belief in a better world. The upbeat sound makes idealism feel like a goal worth chasing, not a naive dream.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/idealistic