Idealist

/aɪˈdiːə.lɪst/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person who is guided more by ideals than by practical considerations.

As an idealist, she always believed in striving for a perfect society, despite the obstacles.

A philosopher who believes that reality is fundamentally mental or immaterial.

The idealist argued that our perceptions shape our understanding of reality.

A person who cherishes or pursues high or noble principles, purposes, or goals.

His idealist nature drove him to volunteer for causes he believed would improve the world.

Derived from the word 'ideal', which comes from Latin 'idealis', meaning 'of an idea'.

hopeless idealist

A person who maintains high ideals or hopes despite the impracticality of such beliefs.

pragmatic idealist

Someone who balances idealism with practical approaches to achieve their goals.

idealism

The philosophical belief in the importance of ideals in influencing reality.

realist

A person who accepts a situation as it is and is prepared to deal with it accordingly.

Starry-eyed

He's so starry-eyed about his chances of making it big in Hollywood.

Pie-in-the-sky

Her plans to change the world seem like pie-in-the-sky ideas to me.