ideally

[ ahy-dee-uh-lee ]

adverb

1. in accordance with an ideal; perfectly.
2. in an ideal world; in principle; theoretically.
3. in idea, thought, or imagination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ideally¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; ideal + -ly

Example Sentences

Goalkeepers bloom later than outfield players - but Kelleher, who did not go in goal until he was 14, has not played nearly as much football as he ideally would have.

From BBC

Many different types of people are consuming it, and you want to be emotionally relevant, ideally, to most of them.

From Los Angeles Times

As there are no signs of this trend slowing down, ideally, measures need to be implemented to help those dealing with the most severe levels of food insecurity.

From Salon

Which might not fit in with what that team ideally wants from its car layout.

From BBC

In the absence of outside help, city officials are trying to find ways to respond to the growing emergency despite mounting expenses — ideally, before the rainy season.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appealingly
• attractively
• charmingly
• delightfully
• elegantly
• exquisitely
• gorgeously
• gracefully
• handsomely
• magnificently
• seductively
• splendidly
• sublimely
• superbly
• tastefully
• wonderfully