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
… was afraid of the gallows. She was terrified of them ideally. Having never set eyes on that last argument of men's justice …—Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradExamples 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
Take that with a pinch of salt, though, considering these numbers should ideally drop further on serious off-road sessions.
—New Atlas, 15 May 2026
The Knicks are not set up ideally.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The only way to really overcome them is to play, and ideally by the time the FH6 is public, this process will be a little smoother for the day-one crowd.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 14 May 2026
Transfer to shallow, airtight containers (less than 3 inches deep and ideally made from glass) and refrigerate as soon as possible.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideally
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
New Atlas, 15 May 2026
The Knicks are not set up ideally.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 15 May 2026
The only way to really overcome them is to play, and ideally by the time the FH6 is public, this process will be a little smoother for the day-one crowd.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 14 May 2026
Transfer to shallow, airtight containers (less than 3 inches deep and ideally made from glass) and refrigerate as soon as possible.
—Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideally
Cite this Entry
“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
