conspicuous
Americanadjective
-
easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable.
a conspicuous error.
- Synonyms:
- salient, marked, clear, noticeable, manifest
-
attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities.
He was conspicuous by his booming laughter.
- Synonyms:
- noteworthy, striking, prominent
adjective
-
clearly visible; obvious or showy
-
attracting attention because of a striking quality or feature
conspicuous stupidity
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of conspicuous
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin conspicuus “clearly seen, visible,” equivalent to conspic(ere) “to see, catch sight of” + -uus adjective suffix; see also conspectus; cf. contiguous, continuous, -ous
Explanation
Keep your eye on the adjective conspicuous for something that stands out so much you notice it right away — like that zit in the center of your friend's forehead. Conspicuous comes from the adjectival form of the Latin verb, conspicere, meaning "to look at." Conspicuous can mean either very obvious to the eye (like something that is conspicuous from a distance) or attracting attention (like conspicuous consumption). If you are doing something wrong, it's wise not to be conspicuous about it!
Vocabulary lists containing conspicuous
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Conspicuous by its absence is Anthropic, as the company has said it is concerned about how the Pentagon could use its tools in warfare and domestically.
From BBC • May 1, 2026
Conspicuous in its absence in the center position of the dash is an LCD touch screen.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
Conspicuous camera moves distract from rather than enhance the action, and a dour, foregrounded score adds an extra layer of weight.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2023
Conspicuous clusters of bright metal buildings also dot this landscape: oil wells, storage tanks, and generators — all linked by a sprawling system of roads and pipelines.
From Salon • Dec. 19, 2021
A certain Comrade Withers, a prominent member of the Inner Party, had been singled out for special mention and awarded a decoration, the Order of Conspicuous Merit, Second Class.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
