noun
Uncommon
vista
VIHS-tuh
Vista (noun) means a long, open view, especially one seen through a gap or down a passage. Example: “From the ridge they looked out over a vista of rolling hills.”
noun
1
A long, open view, especially one seen through a gap or down a passage.
"From the ridge they looked out over a vista of rolling hills."
"The avenue of trees framed a perfect vista of the palace."
"Through the archway, we saw a lovely vista of the harbour."
2
A mental picture of what might lie ahead, especially something exciting or promising.
"The new job opened up a whole vista of possibilities."
"Learning to code opened up an exciting vista of future careers for him."
"Graduation felt like standing at the edge of a vast vista of new opportunities."
How to use vista
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sweeping, often beautiful view — literal or imagined.
Common pairings
a sweeping vista
open up new vistas
mountain vista
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Word forms
- Plural
- vistas
- Third person singular
- vistas
- Past tense
- vistaed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
From the ridge they looked out over a _____ of rolling hills.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian vista, "view, sight," from vedere, "to see" — related to vision and video.
Related words
Rhymes for vista
See all rhymes for vista →Frequently asked questions
What does “vista” mean?
The word “vista” means a long, open view, especially one seen through a gap or down a passage. In plain terms, a sweeping, often beautiful view — literal or imagined.
How do you pronounce “vista”?
“Vista” is pronounced VIHS-tuh (/ˈvɪstə/ in IPA).
How do you use “vista” in a sentence?
Here is “vista” used in a sentence: “From the ridge they looked out over a vista of rolling hills.”
What part of speech is “vista”?
“Vista” is a noun.
Where does the word “vista” come from?
The word “vista” comes from Italian. Borrowed from Italian vista, "view, sight," from vedere, "to see" — related to vision and video.
Is “vista” a common word?
“Vista” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vista” have?
“Vista” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, open view, especially one seen through a gap or down a passage.
What is the difference between a 'vista' and a 'view'?
A 'vista' is a specific kind of view, typically a long, open one seen through a gap, down a passage, or from an elevated point, while 'view' is a more general word for anything visible from a location. 'Vista' often carries a more scenic or impressive connotation than the plain word 'view'.
Can 'vista' be used in a non-literal, figurative sense?
Yes, 'vista' is commonly used figuratively to describe a mental picture of future possibilities, especially something exciting or promising, as in 'new vistas of opportunity.' This extends the physical sense of a long view into the idea of imagining what lies ahead.
Is 'vista' a formal or literary word?
'Vista' has a slightly formal or literary tone compared to everyday words like 'view' or 'sight,' and it appears often in descriptive or scenic writing. It's still widely understood and used in general contexts like real estate listings and travel descriptions.
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