ideally

Everyday

1. Ideally means in the best possible way or the way you would most like, if everything were perfect: «Ideally, I'd like a puppy». tree →
2. Ideally means perfectly or exactly right for something: «The house is ideally placed near the school». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday speech it introduces a wish that may not happen. In maths and science it can mean «in a perfect model», ignoring small real-world problems. Phrases: «ideally suited», «ideally located», «ideally, we would…».

Examples

• Ideally, we should go to bed by nine. tree →
• Ideally, you'd water the plants every day. tree →
• The cottage is ideally placed near the beach. tree →
• She is ideally suited to be team captain. tree →
• Ideally, a recipe should be easy to follow. tree →
• Ideally the experiment would be repeated three times. tree →
• We'd ideally like sunny weather for sports day. tree →
• Ideally, wash your hands for twenty seconds. tree →

Note

Spelled with two l's: ideal + ly. Often starts a sentence and is followed by a comma. It shows a hope or best case, not a fact.