envision

verb

en·​vi·​sion in-ˈvi-zhən How to pronounce envision (audio)
en-
envisioned; envisioning; envisions

transitive verb

: to picture to oneself
envisions a career dedicated to promoting peace
Choose the Right Synonym for envision

think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of.

think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation
envisioned a cure for the disease

Examples of envision in a Sentence

The inventor envisioned many uses for his creation. She envisioned a better life for herself.
Recent Examples on the Web With a week left before the Giants break camp, the 36-year-old right-hander is further along than anybody — perhaps except himself — could have envisioned when Dr. Marc Philippon took a knife to his left hip on Oct. 31 in Vail, Colorado. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 On the space-age set envisioned by his mother and sister, Torres sits behind a conveyor belt that brings him little knickknacks, including a quartz crystal, a plastic swan and a pearl that begins to roll away. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 But the machines require the selection of the individual threads going into the machine, plus envisioning the whole design as a series of 3D tubes. Alden Wicker, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2024 Carl Radke Says Lindsay Hubbard's Drinking Did 'Matter' to Their Relationship's Success (Exclusive) After the weekend ended, Carl and Lindsay sat down in New York City to discuss where the Syracuse University grad envisioned his career heading. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Yao Morin, chief technology officer of commercial real estate firm JLL, said that technology is often developed by decision-makers who envision what the tech should be versus technology that’s going to be a good fit for the more junior people who will ultimately use it. John Kell, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Origins of the marathon Centuries after Messier started his work, in the mid-1970s, a few amateur astronomers began to envision a challenge based on his records. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 If the next few years unfold the way Pujols envisions, the surefire Hall-of-Famer will return to spring training someday with a new title: manager. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Regarding the conversion plans for The James in downtown San Jose, one scenario on file for the proposal envisions the creation of eight studios and a single one-bedroom apartment. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'envision.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of envision was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near envision

Cite this Entry

“Envision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/envision. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

envision

verb
en·​vi·​sion in-ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce envision (audio)
: to picture to oneself
envisions herself as a doctor
could not envision the building from the description

More from Merriam-Webster on envision

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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