envisage

IPA/ɪnˈvɪzɪdʒ/
KK[ɛnvˈɪzɪdʒ]IPA/ɪnˈvɪzɪdʒ/

envisage — verb

  • envisagepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • envisageshe / she / it
  • envisagedpast simple
  • envisaging-ing form

1. to think about a situation that may happen later, often as a good result

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to think about a situation that may happen later, often as a good result

Example

Tanvi envisages opening her own bakery after three years abroad.

envisage doing something in a future plan

The mayor envisaged a new train line linking the two towns.

Common collocations
  • envisage doing something
  • envisage a future
  • envisage change
  • envisage that-clause
Synonyms
  • imagine

    broader and less formal, used for both real and unreal ideas

  • foresee

    stresses seeing a likely result before it happens

  • expect

    usually means you think something will probably happen

Grammar Patterns

envisage doing something

envisage that + clause

envisage + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used for plans, social change, or results that someone can already picture in outline. Common patterns are `envisage doing something` and `envisage that ...`.

Common Mistakes

We envisaged rain tomorrow, so we stayed home.
We expected rain tomorrow, so we stayed home.
`envisage` is more about picturing a future possibility than predicting a simple fact.

2. to picture in your mind how someone, somewhere, or something looks when it is no

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to picture in your mind how someone, somewhere, or something looks when it is not in front of you

Example

Before visiting Kyoto, Ilan envisaged narrow streets full of lanterns.

envisage a place before seeing it

Lan could not envisage the actor's face from the voice alone.

Common collocations
  • envisage a place
  • envisage a face
  • envisage life somewhere
  • envisage a room
Synonyms
  • picture

    common everyday verb for creating a mental image

  • visualize

    stresses seeing the details clearly in your mind

  • imagine

    broader and can refer to ideas, not only visual shape

Grammar Patterns

envisage + noun phrase

envisage someone or something as + adjective

Usage Note

Often used when the person, place, or scene is absent or unknown. Common with places, rooms, faces, and ways of life that someone is trying to picture clearly.

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Envisage is a fairly formal verb for forming a clear idea of a future situation or plan. Imagine is broader and more everyday: you can imagine a future change, a face, or even something impossible. Foresee is closer when the point is that a result seems likely before it arrives. Expect is more direct and often means you think something will probably happen, without stressing the mental picture. Picture is the natural everyday choice when the visual image matters most. A planner might envisage a new public square, a parent might expect delays on the road, and a tourist might picture the hotel before arriving.

envisage ↗imagine ↗foresee ↗expect ↗picture ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • envisage doing something
  • envisage that something will happen
  • hard to envisage
  • envisage someone or something as

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Envisage came into English from French envisager. The older idea was bringing something before the face or eyes, and that developed into the modern meanings of mentally picturing something and thinking ahead to a possible future.