What does idealist mean?
An idealist is someone guided by strong beliefs about what is right, desirable, or possible. The word often suggests a person who remains committed to an ideal even when circumstances make achieving it difficult, so it can express admiration for principled dedication or imply impractical dreaming. Idealists are especially common in political, social, artistic, and philosophical discussion, where the contrast with a realist is important. A realist concentrates on practical conditions and feasible goals, whereas an idealist emphasizes an ideal standard of how things ought to be. In philosophy, idealist has the more specific sense of an advocate of idealism, a family of views that gives ideas or mind a fundamental role in reality. The term is useful because it captures both an ethical stance and a philosophical orientation, while also allowing readers to consider whether vision and practicality can coexist.
nounA person who is guided by strong beliefs about what is right or desirable and seeks to realize them, often despite practical difficulties. In philosophy, the term can also denote an advocate of idealism.
- A person who holds strong principles or hopes for a better condition and tries to promote them, sometimes in disregard of practical considerations.
- An advocate of philosophical idealism, especially the view that ideas are more fundamental to reality than material conditions.
"Despite setbacks, she remained an idealist committed to building a more just society."
"The young politician was an idealist who believed that education could transform society."
"Historians have often described the philosopher as an idealist concerned with principles rather than immediate political circumstances."
The usual plural for people who are idealists.
"The debate brought together idealists and pragmatists from several political movements."
For the idealist, the question is what the world ought to be; for the realist, the question is what the world actually is.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does idealist come from?
The word idealist appeared in English in the early 19th century and was formed from ideal plus the suffix -ist. The adjective ideal derives from Latin idealis, meaning “pertaining to an idea,” ultimately from Greek eidos, “form” or “pattern.” The related philosophical term idealism developed later and became especially prominent in 19th-century European philosophy. English also borrowed the closely related French word idéal and its derivatives, although idealist itself reflects the productive use of the English suffix -ist.
Related word forms
How idealist is actually used
The word is neutral in its basic sense but can sound critical when it implies impracticality, dreaming, or indifference to practical constraints. It may also be approving when it suggests principled commitment to an inspiring cause.
Easily confused with idealist
A realist emphasizes what is practically achievable, whereas an idealist emphasizes what ought to be or what would be ideal.