Envision

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈvɪʒn̩/

Definitions

1. To form a mental image or concept of something that might happen or exist in the future
2. To picture or conceive something in the mind before it occurs
3. To create a clear and detailed idea or plan of a possible future scenario

Etymology: "Envision" is a simple formation: the prefix en- ("to put into or make") attached to "vision." The base word comes from Latin "visionem," meaning a thing or sight seen, which in turn grew out of "videre," to see. So the verb literally means to put something into sight, or to bring a picture into the mind's eye. The base noun reached English through Old French, where "vision" carried the same sense of something seen, and English speakers used it for both physical sight and for visions seen in dreams or spiritual experiences. Adding en- to a noun to make a verb is a common English pattern, as in "enlarge" or "enrich," so "envision" follows a well-established path rather than a special invention.

Synonyms: imagine, foresee, visualize

Antonyms: doubt, misinterpret