visionary Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a person given to fanciful speculations and enthusiasms with little regard for what is actually possible
noun a person with unusual powers of foresight
illusionist; seer.
adjective satellite not practical or realizable; speculative
airy; windy; impractical; Laputan.
- airy theories about socioeconomic improvement
- visionary schemes for getting rich

Cf. F. visionnaire.

Of or pertaining to a visions or visions; characterized by, appropriate to, or favorable for, visions. #?? "appropriate to" was spelled "apappropriate to" in the original.
The visionary hour When musing midnight reigns. Thomson.
Affected by phantoms; disposed to receive impressions on the imagination; given to reverie; apt to receive, and act upon, fancies as if they were realities.
Or lull to rest the visionary maid. Pope.
Existing in imagination only; not real; fanciful; imaginary; having no solid foundation; as, visionary prospect; a visionary scheme or project. Swift. Syn. -- Fanciful; fantastic; unreal. See Fanciful.

plural Visionaries

One whose imagination is disturbed; one who sees visions or phantoms.
One whose imagination overpowers his reason and controls his judgment; an unpractical schemer; one who builds castles in the air; a daydreamer.