idealize

/aɪˈdɪəlaɪz/

//aɪˈdɪəlaɪz// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"idealize" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“idealize” is uncommon English (frequency #85,360 among 2,140 “I” headwords), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#85,360
frequency rank, English
2,140
“I” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To regard something as ideal.

Corpus desk

Index EN-idealize · idealize · English

idealize · rank #85,360 · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-RARE #85,360
  • LEN-LONG 8 letters
  • VOW-5 5 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-MID 2,140
  • PHOTO-FINISH hypotensive

Nearest frequency peer: hypotensive (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Long-tail ranks near “idealize”

Sparse band: bars invert rank so rarer forms read shorter

corpus weight

What this shows Long-tail view: where “idealize” sits against similarly uncommon English ranks.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for idealize
PropertyValue
Headwordidealize
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/aɪˈdɪəlaɪz/
Letters8
Frequency rank#85,360
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Long-tail rank of “idealize” in English

This scale runs from the tiny cluster of words that carry ordinary speech (left) to the long tail of words almost nobody reaches for (right).idealizefalls in this rarity band:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Ticks step logarithmically, so each one marks a roughly tenfold drop in how often the word turns up. Rare peers in the same band: “hypotensive” (#85,359), “hypocritically” (#85,358), “hypes” (#85,357). Among 2,140 “I” headwords, “idealize” is #85,360. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

idealize is uncommon English at frequency #85,360 among 2,140 “I” headwords, classed as averb, transcribed /aɪˈdɪəlaɪz/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 3 senses are on record.

Our edit-distance generator produced no likely misspellings for idealize, and the word's spelling is regular enough that our generator found nothing worth flagging. Our confusable-pair dataset has no match for it, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From ideal + -ize. Compare French idéaliser. The correct English form is idealize, spelled I-D-E-A-L-I-Z-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To regard something as ideal.
  2. 2
    To conceive or form an ideal.
  3. 3
    To portray using idealization.

Recorded use

Wiktionary example

These source excerpts show how idealize appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. People tell me that I wouldn't be so anxious for a lover if I knew the kinds of problems which such a relationship brings, to which I reply that, yes, perhaps I am idealizing somewhat, but basically I know that people aren't plastic, and that where there are human beings there are problems, and, all the same, I think it can be worth it in the long run if…

Etymology

From ideal + -ize. Compare French idéaliser.

This word in other languages

idealizar(Español)idéaliser(Français)idealisieren(Deutsch)idealizar(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "idealize"?
"idealize" is spelled I-D-E-A-L-I-Z-E. The IPA pronunciation is /aɪˈdɪəlaɪz/.
What does "idealize" mean?
As a verb, "idealize" means: To regard something as ideal.
How do you pronounce "idealize"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "idealize" is /aɪˈdɪəlaɪz/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "idealize"?
From ideal + -ize. Compare French idéaliser. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "idealize", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 8 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

homegirl#85,346Heimdall#85,337healings#85,333havering#85,330

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list