verb

envisaged

in-VIZ-ijd

Envisaged (verb) means Imagined or pictured something as a future possibility; formed a mental picture of how something would be. Example: “The founders envisaged a company that would still be family-run in fifty years.”

verb

chiefly British Imagined or pictured something as a future possibility; formed a mental picture of how something would be.

"The founders envisaged a company that would still be family-run in fifty years."

"Nobody envisaged the project taking three years."

formal Planned or intended something to happen in a particular way, especially in official or formal writing.

"The treaty envisaged a phased withdrawal of troops."

"Funding of the kind envisaged in the report has not yet materialised."

How to use envisaged

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo picture in your mind how something is going to be.

When to use it

Common in policy documents, plans and contracts; slightly formal in everyday speech.

Memory tip

Follow it with 'that' plus a clause, or with a noun or -ing form; never with 'to' plus an infinitive.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

envisioned envision → visualise →

Common pairings

as originally envisaged envisaged that hard to envisage envisaged outcome

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Can you complete this real example?

The founders _____ a company that would still be family-run in fifty years.

Etymology

From French envisager, from en- ('in') plus visage ('face'), originally meaning to look in the face of something.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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envisioned imagined foresaw anticipated conceived proposed contemplated provided for

Related words

likely expected proposed nominated anticipated imagined projected prospective

Rhymes for envisaged

aged waged caged paged staged damaged engaged enraged bandaged packaged undamaged leveraged

See all rhymes for envisaged →

Frequently asked questions

Is it 'envisaged' or 'envisioned'?

Both are correct and mean much the same thing. 'Envisaged' is the usual form in British and Commonwealth English, while 'envisioned' dominates in American English. In formal documents and contracts, 'envisaged' is also the more common choice worldwide.

What is the difference between 'envisaged' and 'expected'?

'Expected' simply says you thought something would happen. 'Envisaged' says you actively pictured or planned it in a particular shape, so it carries a sense of design or intention rather than mere prediction.

Can you envisage a person doing something?

Yes. The pattern is 'envisage someone doing something', as in 'I can't envisage him agreeing to that.' Using 'to do' after it ('I can't envisage him to agree') is not idiomatic.

What is the meaning of envisaged?

"envisaged" (verb) means imagined or pictured something as a future possibility; formed a mental picture of how something would be.

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likely expected proposed nominated anticipated imagined projected prospective