# vista

/ˈvɪstə/ (US) · /vˈɪstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vista
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a wide view

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a beautiful view of a large area of land, especially one you see from a high place or through a gap.

For teachers: an extensive mental or physical view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening or at the end of an avenue.

- As we reached the top of the hill, a beautiful vista of the valley opened up before us.
- The garden was designed so that every window in the house framed a different vista of the rolling hills beyond the estate.

### 2. a mental vision

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Literary

a mental picture of a long series of events, usually in the future.

For teachers: a mental view of a succession of remembered or anticipated events.

- The new scientific discovery opened up a whole new vista of possibilities for medicine.
- The treaty opened a new vista of diplomatic cooperation, suggesting a future where regional conflicts might finally be resolved through dialogue.

## Examples

- We stopped at the top of the hill to admire the vista.
- The hotel balcony offers a stunning vista of the valley and the distant mountain range.
- As the new CEO spoke, she opened up a vista of global expansion that many employees had previously thought impossible for a firm of their size.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.