blue-sky

1 of 3

adjective

ˈblü-ˈskī 

1

: marked by a blue cloudless sky : clear

On a blue-sky day, it's easy to look up into the far-reaching atmosphere and marvel at the wonders that it holds …

—Nick Carbone

2

a

: characterized by unconstrained optimism or imagination : visionary

People need more quiet time to let their creative juices flow, time for blue-sky thinking early in a project, before too many constraints are applied.

—Tim Stevens

For a four-hour block on Saturdays, she might be a CEO in blue-sky mode, thinking exclusively about long-term strategy.

—David Zax

b

: overly optimistic about the future : unrealistic

A world without potential war between major countries was until two years ago the stuff of utopian novels, blue-sky dreams of minds not grounded in reality.

—Tom Clancy

One of the issues that raises its head increasingly in crowdfunding is the danger that people may try and launch dubious campaigns to raise finance for blue-sky products that have no chance of success or even working.

—John Kennedy

3

a

: having little or no value

blue-sky stock

b

: of or relating to blue-sky laws

blue-sky regulations

blue-sky

2 of 3

verb

blue-skied also blue-skyed; blue-skying; blue-skies

transitive + intransitive

: to offer ideas that are conceived by unrestrained imagination or optimism

When you get the developers in a room blue-skying about the things that they want to do, it's incredible—these are really brilliant people who want to do great things.

—Shari Steele

Those people have blue-skied and pushed the envelope and wandered around aimlessly outside the box as if their lives depended upon it.

—Jay Rayner

But innovators, when they blue-sky an idea, don't dwell on words like "equity" and "business plan," he [Patrick Dowd] says. Instead it's about "vision and passion" and daring to fail.

—Richard Leiby

blue sky

3 of 3

noun

plural blue skies

1

: a time or situation marked by easy progress or success

Growth is back to its old powerhouse levels; there seems to be nothing but blue sky ahead on the inflation front.

—Amity Shlaes

Before such blue skies actually arrive, however, several major problems will have to be resolved.

—Harry F. Walters et al.

2

: overly optimistic and unrealistic thinking about the future

But this is all blue sky because … there is nothing remotely close to a commercial prototype.

—Gregg Easterbrook

Examples of blue-sky in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

David Bengali's crisp, blue-sky projections clash with the set's earthy tones, while the varied circus animals lack any visual cohesion. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024

Awards season chatter about the dark stylings of Oppenheimer, snow-white chill of Anatomy of a Fall, and the hot pink highlights of Barbie ends tonight, when the 2024 Oscar winners turn major contenders' blue-sky dreams into gold at the 96th Academy Awards. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024

These are blue-sky solutions to spark imagination, joy, and curiosity. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

On a blue-sky July morning, only four hikers were taking selfies against the endless backdrop of undulating Rocky Mountains. —Karin Brulliard, Washington Post, 23 July 2023

Just see where blue-sky thinkers overcome flagpole-runners, or where needle-movers beat out ocean-boilers. —Gabriela Riccardi, Quartz, 13 June 2023

Noun

The lack of wind and the occasional hint of a blue sky provided relief for the shovelers earlier Monday. —John Wawrow, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024

While most saw blue skies on Sunday, postponed events could be rained out again next weekend, meteorologists warn. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024

For a second successive Sunday, the cherry blossoms remained in bloom in the capital, displaying their brilliant whiteness against a bright blue sky on Palm Sunday, this year’s first Sunday of astronomical spring. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024

And everyday stresses are certainly eased by warm sunshine, blue skies and palm trees. —Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024

After a weekend of sunshine and clear blue skies, cold weather and rain are set to hit the Bay Area again later this week. —Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024

Against a deep blue sky that seemed without clouds, the masses of white petals seemed from below to suggest the gleam of snow on a mountaintop. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024

Framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the city’s blue skies, crisp air, and pueblo architecture appeal to travelers looking for authentic experiences. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

At times, only an occasional small cloud drifted in a sea of blue sky, seeming almost out of place, a bit of scenery left behind by the departure of some earlier atmospheric melodrama. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

blue-sky

adjective

1

: having little or no value

blue-sky stock

2

: of or relating to blue-sky laws