Visionary

Definitions

1. Someone who has visions; a seer.
2. An impractical dreamer.
3. Someone who has creative and positive ideas about the future.

Equivalents

Examples

“For seven years [Christopher Columbus] begged persistently for aid, but in vain. He was looked upon as a visionary, and the very boys in the street mocked him as a lunatic. At length he was permitted to lay⟳ his plans before a committee of learned men, but only to have⟳ them ridiculed, the council dismissing him as a foolish enthusiast.”

“In a military sense⟳ Russia is defenceless, and we all supposed it a proof that they were mere visionaries when they started negotiations by insisting upon not surrendering any Russian territory to the Germans.”

“Along with the good planners there are lots of wild-eyed visionaries who don’t relate⟳ ideas to real-life practicalities.”

“Jefferson’s intellectual prowess led some political opponents to dismiss him as a visionary, but he was remarkably successful in politics.”

“Robertson was finally asked to step down at the end⟳ of 1961. His successor would be Dr Beeching, who was seen as both visionary and axeman.”

CEFR level