Meaning of idea In English

• 0 a suggestion or plan for doing something:

  • I've had an idea - why don't we go to the coast?

  • "Let's go swimming." "That's a good idea!"

  • If you have any ideas for what I could buy Jack, let me know.

  • That's when I first had the idea of starting (= planned to start) my own business.

  • I like the idea of living in the countryside but I'm not sure I'd like the reality.

  • She's full of bright (= good) ideas.

  • [ + to infinitive ] It was Kate's idea to hire bikes.

  • It's not a good idea to drive for hours without a rest.

• 1 an understanding, thought, or picture in your mind:

  • Do you have any idea of what he looks like?

  • Can you give me an idea of the cost (= can you tell me approximately how it costs)?

  • I don't like the idea of living so far away from my family.

  • [ + question word ] I haven't the slightest/faintest idea where they've gone.

  • I've got a pretty good idea why they left early.

  • "Where's Serge?" "I've no idea."

• 2 a belief or opinion:

  • We have very different ideas about disciplining children.

  • [ + that ] Dr Leach puts forward the idea that it is impossible to spoil a child.

  • I'm not married - where did you get that idea (= what made you believe that)?

• 3 a purpose or reason for doing something:

  • The idea of the game is to get rid of all your cards as soon as you can.

  • The whole idea (= only purpose) of advertising is to make people buy things.

  • The idea behind the lottery is to raise money for good causes.

• 4 a suggestion, thought, or plan:

  • "Let’s go swimming." "Good idea!"

  • She’s full of bright ideas.

• 5 knowledge or understanding about something:

  • [ C ] Can you give me a rough idea of the cost (= tell me approximately how much it will cost)?

  • [ U ] You have no idea what I just said, do you?

• 6 a belief about something:

  • They have some unusual ideas about parenting.

• 7 a purpose or reason for doing something:

  • The idea behind the law is to raise money for education.

• 8 a suggestion or plan for doing something:

  • idea about sth The CTO should have ideas about where the company needs to be heading in terms of technology.

  • come up with/have an idea He came up with the idea of promoting the two products together.

  • new/fresh/innovative ideas

  • They had great ideas but lacked the business know-how to turn an idea into a successful product.

• 9 the purpose of, or reason for, doing something:

  • The whole idea of budgeting is to control costs.