ideally

ideally — adverb

1. in a way that is perfect or most suitable for a particular purpose — for example

1.adverbB2
Definition

in a way that is perfect or most suitable for a particular purpose — for example, a hotel being ideally located near the station, or someone being ideally suited to a job.

Example

The hotel is ideally located just minutes from the beach.

ideally + past participle (located/suited/placed)

Linh's experience makes her ideally suited to manage the research team.

Common collocations
  • ideally located
  • ideally suited
  • ideally placed
  • ideally positioned
  • ideally prepared
  • ideally situated
Synonyms
  • perfectly

    stronger — suggests no flaws at all, while 'ideally' focuses on suitability for a purpose

  • optimally

    more technical/formal — used in scientific or business contexts

  • excellently

    broader — describes quality generally, not fitness for a specific purpose

Antonyms
  • poorly

    suggests something is badly placed or unsuited

  • badly

    stronger opposite — indicates a clearly unsuitable arrangement

Grammar Patterns

ideally + past participle + prepositional phrase

ideally + adjective + for/to

Usage Note

Commonly followed by a past participle such as 'located', 'suited', 'placed', 'positioned', or 'prepared'. These participles are usually followed by a prepositional phrase (for, to) to explain the purpose.

Common Mistakes

The hotel is ideally.
The hotel is ideally located near the station.
'ideally' alone is not enough; it modifies an adjective or participle and needs the full phrase to make sense.
Ideally, the restaurant is near the park.
The restaurant is ideally situated near the park.
For this sense, place 'ideally' before the describing word, not at the start of the sentence.

2. used to describe what you would like to happen in a perfect situation, even if i

2.adverbB2
Definition

used to describe what you would like to happen in a perfect situation, even if it may not be possible or likely — for example, ideally finishing a project by Friday but knowing you may need more time.

Example

Ideally, we would finish the renovations before the rainy season starts.

sentence adverb: 'Ideally, ...' at start of clause

Ideally, every classroom should have no more than twenty students.

Common collocations
  • ideally, ... would
  • would ideally
  • ideally, ... should
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • unfortunately

    signals the opposite — that reality does not match the wish

  • in reality

    contrasts the ideal with what actually happens

Grammar Patterns

Ideally, + clause with would

would ideally + verb

Usage Note

Often placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause, followed by a clause containing 'would'. Alternatively, 'would ideally' can appear mid-sentence before the main verb. This sense frequently signals that the described situation is unlikely or faces obstacles.

Common Mistakes

Ideally, the apartment is near the station.
The apartment is ideally located near the station.
If you mean the location is perfect, use sense 1 with a participle. Sense 2 is for wishes about what should happen.

Word family

  • ideal
    adjectiveB2
  • ideal
    nounB2
  • idealism
    nounC1
  • idealist
    nounC1
  • idealistic
    adjectiveC1
  • idealize
    verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/2

'Ideally', 'in theory', 'in a perfect world', and 'all things being equal' all introduce an ideal or expected scenario, but they differ in tone and implication. 'Ideally' expresses a personal wish about what should happen ('Ideally, we would leave by 8 a.m.'). 'In theory' is more detached and intellectual — it states what is supposed to happen based on logic, often followed by a contrast with reality ('In theory, the plan should work; in practice, it rarely does'). 'In a perfect world' is the most informal and vivid, painting a picture of an impossible scenario ('In a perfect world, nobody would need to work'). 'All things being equal' adds a condition: if nothing unexpected interferes ('All things being equal, the flight should arrive on time'). Use 'ideally' for personal wishes, 'in theory' for academic or technical reasoning, and 'in a perfect world' for emotional or rhetorical emphasis.

ideally ↗in theory ↗in a perfect worldall things being equal

Common collocations

Phrases

  • ideally located
  • ideally suited
  • ideally placed
  • ideally positioned
  • ideally prepared
  • ideally situated
  • ideally suited to
  • ideally situated for
  • would ideally
  • ideally ... would

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

'Ideally' comes from the Greek word 'idea' (meaning a form, pattern, or concept of perfection). It travelled through Latin 'idealis' and French 'idéal' before entering English as 'ideal' in the 1600s. The adverb form 'ideally' appeared soon after, first meaning 'in thought or imagination' and later 'in the most perfect way possible.'