Visionary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Visionary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has original ideas about what the future could be like or someone who is able to envision and plan for future developments. Example: "As a visionary leader, she inspired her team to think outside the box and innovate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

DW After winning the prize for best chef at the 2014 Young British Foodie awards, it was unlikely that 29-year-old Tomos Parry would be held for too much longer by the visionary but grungey Climpson's Arch in east London (currently home to Som Saa from Andy Oliver, another great cook).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"He had an absolute focus on bread and butter issues, and because of that was able to focus on visionary things, like building the Royal theatre, or fixing up the historic buildings at Macquarie street, saving the rainforests, introducing anti-discrimination laws, but above all I think saving the rainforest," Carr said.

The Guardian

There is public goodwill if there is decisive and visionary leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

Shorten contests that the 2014 federal budget did not fail because it was "too exciting, too visionary or too bold", but rather that major policy objectives stalled in the Senate because they were "fundamentally unfair".

The Guardian

By coincidence, yesterday I popped into a Politeia thinktank session to listen to a very different kind of self-appointed visionary.

The Guardian

Once Munch and Van Gogh made "madness" a positive value in modern art, a key to visionary truth, it was only a matter of time before the medical profession too started to see new connections between art and the mind.

The Guardian

She was a medic, botanist, mystic, visionary, playwright and poet.

The Guardian - Music

Tessa Ross, controller of film and drama at Channel 4, who were early backers of 12 Years a Slave said: "This is a very exciting day – Steve is already acclaimed as one of the worlds' leading contemporary visual artists and is now being recognised as a truly visionary feature film-maker on the international stage".

The Guardian - Film

They include some of the most powerful visionary paintings of all time.

The Guardian - Arts

But if we miss the positive side of the equation, and don't support visionary African leaders to get things done, then we hold back the development that is the key to Africa's continued success.

The Guardian

Malcolm Turnbull's claim that coding is the key tool to unlock future prosperity for Australia might sound visionary, but it's not supported by the economic data.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "visionary", provide specific examples of their forward-thinking ideas or accomplishments to add credibility.

Common error

Avoid labeling someone as "visionary" without providing concrete evidence of their innovative thinking or impact. Ensure the term is justified by tangible examples and results.

Linguistic Context

The word "visionary" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something possessing foresight, originality, and innovative ideas. It can also function as a noun, referring to a person with such qualities. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "visionary" is a commonly used adjective and noun to describe someone or something demonstrating foresight and innovative thinking. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While its high frequency suggests broad applicability, it's essential to use the term judiciously, providing concrete examples to substantiate claims of visionary leadership or innovation. Related phrases like "farsighted" and "forward-thinking" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Forward-thinking

Highlights a proactive approach to future developments and changes.

Farsighted

Emphasizes the ability to see and plan for the distant future.

Groundbreaking

Focuses on the introduction of new ideas or methods that bring significant changes.

Insightful

Highlights the ability to deeply understand people or things.

Pioneering

Emphasizes being the first to develop or use something.

Innovative

Focuses on the introduction of new ideas or methods.

Strategic

Focuses on careful planning to achieve a specific goal.

Imaginative

Stresses the creativity and inventiveness aspect.

Prophetic

Implies the ability to predict future events or trends.

Creative

Focuses on the ability to generate novel and valuable ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "Visionary" in a sentence?

You can use "visionary" to describe someone with foresight and original ideas, such as "She is a "visionary" leader who transformed the company's culture."

What are some alternatives to "Visionary"?

Alternatives to "visionary" include "farsighted", "innovative", and "forward-thinking", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to call a product "Visionary"?

Yes, "visionary" can be used to describe a product that demonstrates innovative design or groundbreaking technology. For example, "This "visionary" product is set to revolutionize the industry."

What is the difference between "Visionary" and "Idealistic"?

"Visionary" implies foresight and practicality, while "idealistic" suggests a focus on ideals, sometimes without regard for feasibility.