idea
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
How often you will meet it
Rank 461 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 44,757 times across 173,643 chapters — 0.021% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about also: thought it was not a good ideathe thought never entered my mind
- your intention; what you intend to do also: mind he had in mind to see his old teacherthe idea of the game is to capture all the pieces
- a personal view he has an idea that we don't like him
- an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth also: estimate, estimation, approximation an estimate of what it would costa rough idea how long it would take
- (music) melodic subject of a musical composition also: theme, melodic theme, musical theme the theme is announced in the first measuresthe accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it
idea in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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The dog's howl suggested a new idea to his poor tortured brain, thirsting for forgetfulness.
An Egyptian Princess — Volume 07 · Georg Ebers · Chapter 1
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To me it seems 'tis your idea of Cricket To smash the wicket-keeper--not the wicket.
Punch — Volume 99, August 16, 1890 · Various · Chapter 1
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But until within a few weeks ago she herself had had no idea of the kind.
Christian's Mistake · Dinah Maria Mulock Craik · Chapter 1
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Now, the value of an idea has nothing whatsoever to do with the sincerity of the man who expresses it.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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Reverend Henry Ward Beecher was to have accompanied the expedition, but urgent duties obliged him to give up the idea.
The Innocents Abroad — Volume 01 · Mark Twain · Chapter 1