visionary

/ˈvɪʒn̩(ə)ɹi/

Group 16Difficulty 1/3

Definitions

(adjective)
Thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom
GRE
(noun)
A person with original ideas about what the future could look like
GRE

Example in Context

The visionary architect's designs for sustainable cities influenced urban planning around the world for decades.

Synonyms

forward-thinkinginnovativeprophetic

Etymology

One who sees or imagines the future.

  • visio (Latin) — sight
  • arius (Latin) — one who

Memory Aid

🌈Sounds like “vision-airy

Imagine a VISIONARY balloon floating in an AIRY rainbow, dreaming of the future while sipping on a colorful smoothie!

Visual Association

🌌A person sitting on a cloud, gazing at a vibrant sunset filled with swirling colors and futuristic cities.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “visionary” mean on the GRE?

visionary (adjective) means “Thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom”. The visionary architect's designs for sustainable cities influenced urban planning around the world for decades.

How to remember “visionary” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “visionary” sounds like “vision-airy”. Imagine a VISIONARY balloon floating in an AIRY rainbow, dreaming of the future while sipping on a colorful smoothie!

What are synonyms for “visionary”?

Common synonyms: forward-thinking, innovative, prophetic.