visionary

American  

[vizh-uh-ner-ee] / ˈvɪʒ əˌnɛr i /

adjective

1. given to or characterized by fanciful, not presently workable, or unpractical ideas, views, or schemes.

   a visionary enthusiast.

   Synonyms:

   impracticable, impractical

   Antonyms:

   practical

2. given to or concerned with seeing visions.

3. belonging to or seen in a vision.

4. unreal; imaginary.

   visionary evils.

   Synonyms:

   chimerical, illusory, fancied

5. purely idealistic or speculative; impractical; unrealizable.

   a visionary scheme.

   Synonyms:

   unrealistic

6. of, relating to, or proper to a vision.

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noun

plural

visionaries

1. a person of unusually keen foresight.

2. a person who sees visions.

3. a person who is given to audacious, highly speculative, or impractical ideas or schemes; dreamer.

visionary British  

/ ˈvɪʒənərɪ /

adjective

1. marked by vision or foresight

   a visionary leader

2. incapable of being realized or effected; unrealistic

3. (of people) characterized by idealistic or radical ideas, esp impractical ones

4. given to having visions

5. of, of the nature of, or seen in visions

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noun

1. a visionary person

Other Word Forms

• nonvisionary adjective
• unvisionary adjective
• visionariness noun

Etymology

Origin of visionary

First recorded in 1640–50; vision + -ary

Explanation

You've got big ideas. Crazy ideas. But forward-thinking ideas — ideas that just might change the way the world works. You're considered a visionary. Visionaries are ahead of their time, always thinking creatively. You could say that a visionary can envision what the future holds and come up with solutions that fit that picture. Those wild ideas aren't always met with appreciation though. Skeptics think that visionaries aren't grounded in reality. And usually the visionaries tell them to stop being so shortsighted!

Example Sentences

Apple's string of hits has arguably slowed since the death of its visionary co-founder Steve Jobs, as the company focuses more on refining its existing technology.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

She is a poet, musician, activist, sound designer, organizer, curator, visual artist and Afrofuturist visionary.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

His visionary management would define the organization in other ways.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

The grunge collection may have helped define the era’s style and, in later years, proven Jacobs’ visionary status.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

A lady talks about what a visionary Noah Webster was to create the first American spellers and dictionaries.

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Related Words

• ambitious
• grandiose
• idealistic
• introspective
• lofty
• noble
• quixotic
• radical
• starry-eyed