ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
b
: for best results
ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant—
T. M. Martinez
T. M. Martinez
c
: in accordance with an ideal or typical standard : classically
2
: in relation to an exemplar
3
: in idea or imagination : mentally
Examples of ideally in a Sentence
His skills made him ideally suited for the job.
They were ideally suited to one another.
The ski slope was situated ideally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Buying a house allows people to build equity and wealth over time by making mortgage payments that reduce the loan principal and increase the owner’s stake in the home until, ideally, it’s owned outright.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Breakfast—which takes at least an hour, ideally shared with friends in cafés—is the most important meal of the day.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
And a 40-something version of Cora’s outspoken mom, Martha Levinson (ideally, guest star Michelle Williams in the former Shirley MacLaine role).
—Allison Adato, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
That means more charter schools and, ideally, Arizona-style universal school choice that includes private schools.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
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Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Breakfast—which takes at least an hour, ideally shared with friends in cafés—is the most important meal of the day.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
And a 40-something version of Cora’s outspoken mom, Martha Levinson (ideally, guest star Michelle Williams in the former Shirley MacLaine role).
—Allison Adato, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
That means more charter schools and, ideally, Arizona-style universal school choice that includes private schools.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ideally
Cite this Entry
“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
: in agreement with an ideal : perfectly
ideally suited to the job
2
: for best results
ideally, each student should arrive early
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