idealized
idealized — adjective
- idealizedpositive
- more idealizedcomparative
- most idealizedsuperlative
1. Describes a picture, memory, or story that makes a person or thing seem perfect
Describes a picture, memory, or story that makes a person or thing seem perfect even when the truth is different.
A magazine showed an idealized image of family life that no one could match.
collocation: idealized image of
Mei's memoir describes an idealized version of her childhood in the countryside.
collocation: idealized version of
The film presents an idealized view of village life that ignores everyday hardships.
Many young people feel pressure to match the idealized bodies they see on social media.
Her idealized portrait of the founder left out all the difficult compromises he made.
- romanticized
Focuses on making something seem exciting and attractive, especially the past; more literary than 'idealized'.
- glamorized
Suggests making something seem more beautiful, exciting, or desirable than it really is, often in media or entertainment.
- perfect
Describes something that already has no faults; 'idealized' focuses on the act of making something seem perfect rather than it being perfect.
- unrealistic
Describes something that is not based on facts; 'idealized' adds the idea that someone deliberately made it look better.
- realistic
Shows things as they really are, including faults and problems.
- unflattering
Shows someone or something in a way that highlights their faults rather than hiding them.
文法句型
idealized + noun
idealized + of + noun phrase
idealized version/image/view + of
用法筆記
Typically used before a noun. The thing described as idealized is usually a memory, image, relationship, or person that a speaker judges as too perfect to be real.
常見錯誤
idealized — verb
- idealizedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- idealizeds3rd person singular
- idealizeding-ing form
- idealizededpast simple
1. To think of someone or something as having no faults or weaknesses, often ignori
To think of someone or something as having no faults or weaknesses, often ignoring their real limits or mistakes.
Diego idealized his older brother and never noticed how often he broke promises.
transitive: idealize a person
Sophie realized she had idealized her year abroad, forgetting all the lonely weekends.
Some fans idealize famous singers and are shocked when they make ordinary mistakes.
Kwame warned his friend not to idealize the company before seeing the job contract.
Parents are often idealized in old photographs and remembered only for their best moments.
- romanticize
Focuses on making the past or a situation seem more emotionally appealing; used more for experiences than people.
- glamorize
Suggests making something ordinary seem exciting and desirable, often through media portrayal.
- put on a pedestal
An idiom meaning to admire someone so much that you cannot see their faults; slightly informal.
文法句型
idealize + noun phrase
be idealized + as + noun phrase
idealize + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike the adjective sense, this verb focuses on the mental process of seeing someone or something as perfect. The object is often a person, a past experience, or a place. Frequently used in the past tense or passive voice.
常見錯誤
2. To represent or think of yourself as someone who lives by high ideals and princi
To represent or think of yourself as someone who lives by high ideals and principles, especially when your actions do not fully match that image.
The CEO idealized himself as a champion of workers, yet cut their benefits every year.
reflexive: idealize oneself as
Trang idealized herself as a free spirit who could never be tied down by a nine-to-five job.
Teenagers often idealize about the perfect career they will have someday, only to face a different reality later.
Even as a young artist, Felix tried to idealize — to let only beauty and truth guide his choices.
- put oneself on a pedestal
Informal idiom meaning to act as if one is morally superior or beyond criticism; similar to but slightly more negative than 'idealize oneself'.
- present oneself as
Neutral phrase describing how someone chooses to appear; more general and less judgmental than 'idealize oneself'.
- face one's own flaws
To acknowledge personal shortcomings rather than presenting a perfect idealistic image.
文法句型
idealize oneself as + noun phrase
idealize about + noun phrase
explain with clause after em dash
用法筆記
This sense uses the reflexive pattern (idealize oneself as) to describe how someone presents their own character or motives as idealistic, often with the suggestion that reality does not match the claim. Distinguish from sense 1 (SEE AS PERFECT): sense 1 describes seeing another person, place, or past experience as flawless; this sense describes how someone presents themselves or their way of living as guided by ideals.