visionary

[ vizh-uh-ner-ee ]

/ ˈvɪʒ əˌnɛr i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR visionary ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

given to or characterized by fanciful, not presently workable, or unpractical ideas, views, or schemes: a visionary enthusiast.

given to or concerned with seeing visions.

belonging to or seen in a vision.

unreal; imaginary: visionary evils.

purely idealistic or speculative; impractical; unrealizable: a visionary scheme.

of, relating to, or proper to a vision.

noun, plural vi·sion·ar·ies.

a person of unusually keen foresight.

a person who sees visions.

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

Nearby words

Origin of visionary

First recorded in 1640–50; vision + -ary

SYNONYMS FOR visionary

1 impractical, impracticable.

4 fancied, illusory, chimerical.

5 unrealistic.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR visionary ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR visionary

1 practical.

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Related formsvi·sion·ar·i·ness, nounnon·vi·sion·ar·y, adjective, nounun·vi·sion·ar·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for visionary

Ken Russell, the now sadly deceased British film director, told me he considered Jarman a visionary.
The Queer Genius of Film Director Derek Jarman|Tim Teeman|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I wanted to talk about your career as well, since you were honored here with the Persol Tribute to Visionary Talent Award.
Frances McDormand on 'Olive Kitteridge,' Dropping LSD, and Her Beef With FX's 'Fargo'|Marlow Stern|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dream Cars: Innovative Design, Visionary Ideas is on display at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta until September 7.
Dreaming Up the Cars of the Future|Justin Jones|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our visionary scientists have found the Achilles heel of yet another enemy of the State—the Superbug!
The Fake Superbug Cure|Kent Sepkowitz|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He cites Jim Collins and Jerry Porras's Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.
In the Backseat With Janelle Monae: A Limo Ride with the Stylish R&B Diva|Douglas Wolk|April 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was in his character, perhaps, something of the visionary and the transcendentalist.
Toilers of the Sea|Victor Hugo
If, hitherto, you have supposed me a visionary, be undeceived.
The Confidence-Man|Herman Melville
Nobody is less of a visionary theorist; nobody has drawn his speculations more from practice.
Selections from the Speeches and Writings of Edmund Burke|Edmund Burke
"You are a visionary, my boy," said the duke, gazing at him in blank astonishment.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol III|Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton, Eds.
These were the visionary and turbulent (p. 37) Archer and his follower Ratcliffe.
The Beginners of a Nation|Edward Eggleston.

British Dictionary definitions for visionary

visionary

/ (ˈvɪʒənərɪ) /

adjective

marked by vision or foresighta visionary leader

incapable of being realized or effected; unrealistic

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

given to having visions

of, of the nature of, or seen in visions

noun plural -aries

a visionary person

Derived Formsvisionariness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for visionary

visionary

adj.

"able to see visions," 1650s, from vision + -ary. Meaning "impractical" is attested from 1727. The noun is attested from 1702, from the adj., originally "one who indulges in impractical fantasies."

visionary

adjective

noun, plural vi·sion·ar·ies.

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Nearby words

Origin of visionary

Examples from the Web for visionary

British Dictionary definitions for visionary

visionary

adjective

noun plural -aries

Word Origin and History for visionary

visionary