slightly idealistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly idealistic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a viewpoint or belief that is somewhat optimistic or unrealistic, but not excessively so. Example: "Her approach to solving the community's issues is slightly idealistic, as it overlooks some practical challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There is no doubt that this is an ambitious, and maybe even slightly idealistic, goal but with a four schools now up and running in Israel from the Galilee region all the way down to Beersheba it certainly does not seem like an impossible one.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That may be somewhat idealistic.

The Guardian

These expectations proved to be somewhat idealistic.

Health Policy and Planning

My dad and I are both romantic transcendentalists, slightly more idealistic versions of Slaughterhouse-Five's Billy Pilgrim, the main character who keeps getting unstuck in time.

Huffington Post

Alexander Parish – a British dancer who left the Royal Ballet for the Mariinsky in 2010 – makes an idealistic, slightly naïve hero, partnering her gently.

Independent

When Bell talks this way, he can sound an awful lot like the theological liberals of the twentieth century: scholarly reformers, idealistic but slightly smug, who were shown up by the preachers they derided as "extreme fundamentalists".

The New Yorker

The move is frustrating for SmartyPig savers, including myself, who thought the Pig was a bit different from the rest and had hoped that it had figured out a way to pay a slightly more competitive rate (idealistic, I know).

The New York Times

But the flood that changed everything two years ago has changed that too: Today, by accident and by necessity, this city is awash in ideas: the new and the ambitious, the au courant and avant-garde, the idealistic and the slightly nutty.

Los Angeles Times

It was also a mistake because it tarnishes (slightly) Obama's claim to represent a new kind of politics, more idealistic and participatory, less hard-nosed.

Huffington Post

Toby: Was it, was it a brand-new, 1960s, idealistic, "we'll educate the masses" library, or was it a slightly down-at-the-heel one?

The Guardian - Books

It's a slightly old-school idea — throwing everyone in the same room — which Tyler described in idealistic terms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly idealistic" to describe plans, ideas, or individuals that have a positive vision but may not be entirely grounded in reality. It's effective for conveying a sense of hopeful aspiration tempered by a touch of skepticism.

Common error

Be careful not to use "slightly idealistic" in situations where a strong, pragmatic approach is necessary. It can undermine credibility if applied to serious issues requiring concrete solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly idealistic" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms that its primary role is to qualify something as having a degree of idealism, though tempered by realism.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly idealistic" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing something that possesses hopeful or principled beliefs, yet is grounded in reality. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. When using this phrase, it's essential to balance its positive connotations with an awareness of the potential for impracticality. For alternative expressions, consider "somewhat utopian" or "mildly optimistic", depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shade idealistic

Very close to "slightly idealistic", highlighting the subtle presence of idealism.

a touch idealistic

Suggests a delicate or faint degree of idealism.

somewhat utopian

Emphasizes the impracticality and dreamlike nature more strongly than "slightly idealistic".

marginally unrealistic

Directly addresses the lack of realism, without necessarily emphasising positive ideas.

mildly optimistic

Focuses on the positive and hopeful aspect, reducing the emphasis on the unrealistic side.

vaguely optimistic

Highlights optimism but expresses it in a less direct and assertive fashion.

somewhat fanciful

Implies imaginative and unrealistic nature but the visionary element is less marked.

moderately hopeful

Underlines hopefulness, with a similar intensity than "slightly idealistic".

rather visionary

Highlights the forward-thinking and imaginative aspect, potentially lacking practicality.

a bit pie-in-the-sky

Conveys a stronger sense of impracticality and unlikelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly idealistic" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly idealistic" to describe a plan or idea that is innovative and hopeful, but possibly not entirely practical. For instance, "Her proposal for solving the city's traffic problem is "slightly idealistic", but worth considering".

What's the difference between "slightly idealistic" and "very idealistic"?

"Slightly idealistic" suggests a tempered optimism, where the idea is mostly realistic with a touch of idealism. "Very idealistic", on the other hand, indicates a vision that is largely driven by ideals and may be far removed from reality.

Are there any negative connotations to using the phrase "slightly idealistic"?

The term "slightly idealistic" can sometimes imply that an idea is naive or impractical. Whether it carries a negative connotation depends on the context and the audience's perception. In some cases, it can be seen as a positive trait, suggesting a hopeful outlook.

What are some alternatives to "slightly idealistic"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "somewhat utopian", "mildly optimistic", or "a touch idealistic". Each alternative conveys a slightly different nuance regarding the balance between hope and practicality. See all of them here "somewhat utopian", "mildly optimistic", "a touch idealistic".