ideally

adverb

ide·​al·​ly ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 

-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē

1

a

: conformably to or in respect to an ideal : perfectly

b

: for best results

ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant

—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

Synonyms

• faultlessly
• flawlessly
• immaculately
• impeccably
• pat
• perfectly

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

But the field needs a new scoreboard, seating behind home plate and, ideally, indoor training facilities that would allow kids of all ages to use it all year round. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 Dec. 2024

Pair it with a roomy tote and a pair of black boots, ideally ones that can hold up to New York’s slushy, icy streets, like these Cole Haan waterproof booties (now up to 42 percent off). —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024

Another marker of financial stability is keeping an emergency savings account, ideally one with sufficient funds to cover three to six months of expenses. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024

Science & Medicine Why RFK Jr. nomination sets off alarms among many public health specialists Nov. 16, 2024 The problem, critics say, is that a GRAS determination is supposed to follow a scientific assessment, ideally one conducted by independent experts. —Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids 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