utopian
yoo-TOH-pee-un
/juːˈtəʊpɪən/
Modeled on or aiming for a state in which everything is perfect; idealistic to an impractical degree.
Describes grand social visions that strive for absolute societal perfection, often subtly implying that such visions are impossible.
The story behind the word. Coined by Sir Thomas More in 1516 for his book 'Utopia'. The clever pun from Greek literally means 'no place' (ou-topos), subtly hinting that a perfect place exists nowhere on earth.
Word relationships
- idealistic: Idealistic refers to general pursuit of high values; utopian specifically concerns perfected societal systems.
- visionary: Visionary stresses imaginative innovation, while utopian stresses total societal harmony.
- dystopian: Dystopian describes an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice.
- realistic: Realistic focuses on sensible and practical understandings of things as they are.
Commonly confused with
- dystopian: Utopian depicts a perfect dream world; dystopian depicts a nightmare society.
Word family
- utopia (noun): An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.
- utopianism (noun): The pursuit of or belief in the possibility of a utopian society.
Collocations
- utopian vision
- utopian society
- utopian ideals
- purely utopian
Idioms & expressions
- castles in the air
- paradise on earth
Example sentences
- "The reformers were criticized for proposing a utopian system that ignored human fallibility." Political Philosophy
- "19th-century literature was filled with utopian novels envisioning peaceful, technology-driven futures." Literary Criticism
Memory hook
UTOPIA = You Topia (a place that is top of the world, but nowhere to be found). The perfect place that is 'no place'.
When not to use
Do not use for small personal preferences (e.g., 'a utopian cup of coffee').
Fun facts
- Sir Thomas More created the word as a double pun on 'ou-topos' (no place) and 'eu-topos' (good place).
Related words
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