idea

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A thought or suggestion about what to do.

   I have an idea about how we could escape.

2. 2
   noun

   An opinion or belief about something.

   They have the idea that we don't like them.

3. 3
   noun

   An understanding or impression of something.

   Do you have any idea what time it is?

Common collocations

• good idea Adjective + noun
• get an idea Verb + noun
• have an idea Verb + noun
• share an idea Verb + noun
• bright idea Adjective + noun
• vague idea Adjective + noun
• develop an idea Verb + noun

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *weyd-der. Ancient Greek ῐ̓δεῖν (ĭdeîn) Ancient Greek ῐ̓δέᾱ (ĭdéā)der. Latin ideabor. English idea Borrowed from Latin idea (“a (Platonic) idea; archetype”), from Ancient Greek ἰδέα (idéa, “notion, pattern”), from εἴδω (eídō, “to see”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (“to know; see”). Cognate with French idée. Doublet of idée. Related to idol, idolum, and eidolon.

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