visualize

American  

[vizh-oo-uh-lahyz] / ˈvɪʒ u əˌlaɪz /

especially British, visualise

verb (used without object)

visualized, visualizing

1. to recall or form mental images or pictures.

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verb (used with object)

visualized, visualizing

1. to make visual or visible.

2. to form a mental image of.

3. to make perceptible to the mind or imagination.

visualize British  

/ ˈvɪʒʊəˌlaɪz, -zjʊ- /

verb

1. to form a mental image of (something incapable of being viewed or not at that moment visible)

2. med to view by means of an X-ray the outline of (a bodily organ, structure, or part)

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Other Word Forms

• nonvisualized adjective
• revisualization noun
• revisualize verb
• unvisualized adjective
• visualist noun
• visualizable adjective
• visualization noun
• visualizer noun
• well-visualized adjective

Etymology

Origin of visualize

First recorded in 1810–20; visual + -ize

Example Sentences

This new model could give scientists a powerful way to study rotating gravitational systems and better understand pulsars, which are typically difficult to visualize directly.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

Regardless of the muted market reaction, lidar technology—which is essentially laser-based radar—used by cars and machines to visualize their environment, is maturing.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Better analytics and ways to visualize what athletes’ bodies are doing could bring more fans and democratize training for those who don’t have access to top-notch coaches.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Try to visualize how the party looked, but from a different angle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

It terrified her, to be unable to visualize tomorrow.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• anticipate
• dream up
• envision