Word
ideally
Phoneticside·al·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/aɪˈdiɫi/
UK/aɪdˈiəli/
Sentence adverb
Definitions
01preferably
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. used to say what you would like to happen if everything were perfect.
adv. used to indicate the most desirable or preferred outcome, often acknowledging that reality may differ.
Español:idealmente
“Ideally, we would like to finish the project by Friday, but Monday is also okay.”
“Ideally, the candidate should possess at least five years of experience in international law, though we are willing to consider exceptional junior applicants.”
Usage
often used at the beginning of a sentence to set a condition.
Synonyms
02perfectly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. in a way that is perfect or exactly right for a situation.
adv. in an ideal manner; perfectly suited to a specific purpose or set of requirements.
“The small cottage was ideally located near the beach and the local shops.”
“The new software is ideally suited for small businesses that require robust accounting features without the complexity of enterprise-level systems.”
Usage
frequently modifies adjectives or verbs to show a perfect fit.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ideally” in context.
Verb
01. ideally suit
“Her extensive experience in marketing makes her ideally suited for the role of project manager.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Ideally, in our view, the people who use a social media platform should have a greater say in the kinds of information shown to them.” “They say similar experiments should eventually be carried out with less enculturated apes, ideally wild populations.” Etymology
From ideal + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/ideally
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0