Idealistic describes someone who believes in noble principles and high standards, sometimes without considering practical obstacles. An idealistic person imagines how things could be at their best rather than simply accepting how they are.

When a student proposes that the whole school should stop using paper to save trees, that's idealistic: the goal is admirable, but figuring out how everyone would take notes and turn in homework requires more practical thinking. An idealistic leader might dream of a world without poverty or war, inspiring others with that vision even while working through the complicated reality of achieving it.

Being idealistic isn't the same as being naive or foolish. Many important changes in history started with someone's idealistic vision: the Wright brothers' dream of human flight, or the founders of national parks who believed wilderness should be protected. The word suggests someone who refuses to settle for “good enough” and pushes toward something better.

Young people are often called idealistic because they haven't yet learned all the reasons adults might say “that won't work.” Sometimes that fresh perspective leads to real breakthroughs. The key is balancing idealistic goals with realistic plans for reaching them.