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Synonyms

envision

American  
[en-vizh-uhn] / ɛnˈvɪʒ ən /

verb (used with object)

  1. to picture mentally, especially some future event or events.

    to envision a bright future.


envision British  
/ ɪnˈvɪʒən /

verb

  1. (tr) to conceive of as a possibility, esp in the future; foresee

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of envision

First recorded in 1920–25; en- 1 + vision

Compare meaning

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Explanation

The verb envision means to imagine or picture. Kids often envision themselves doing exciting things when they grow up, like being movie stars, professional athletes, or astronauts. The word envision comes from the Latin en-, which means "cause to be," and visionem, meaning "a thing seen." Career paths aren't the only things that can be envisioned. If you envision a cleaner world, you may volunteer to pick up trash on the beach. If you envision a more peaceful world, you might make your brother and sister play in separate rooms to stop them from screaming at each other.

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Vocabulary lists containing envision

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s hard to envision it ever being overbuilt.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Even people who have witnessed the journey from a 19-year-old making his first-team breakthrough - after joining Southport on loan from Blackburn Rovers - have struggled to envision Raya's rise.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Government development plans envision the expansion of existing naval and air facilities across the islands.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

The plan calls for the U.S. military to guide ships through the waterway, but U.S. officials said they don’t currently envision U.S. warships being used as escorts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

But as the months passed, Ashoke began to envision another sort of future.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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