Idealism

Origin

First attested 1796, from ideal + -ism.

Full definition of idealism

Noun

1. The property of a person of having high ideals that are usually unrealizable or at odds with practical life.
2. (philosophy) An approach to philosophical enquiry which asserts that direct and immediate knowledge can only be had of ideas or mental pictures.

Synonyms

• (philosophy) philosophical idealism

Antonyms

• (philosophy) materialism

Derived terms

• epistemological idealism
• metaphysical idealism

Related terms

• idealist
• idealistic
• idealistically

Anagrams

• miladies