visible
Americanadjective
-
that can be seen; perceptible to the eye.
mountains visible in the distance.
- Synonyms:
- discernible
-
apparent; manifest; obvious.
a man with no visible means of support.
- Synonyms:
- evident, discernible
-
being constantly or frequently in the public view; conspicuous.
a visible political position.
-
noting or pertaining to a system of keeping records or information on cards or sheets in such a way that the desired reference can be brought instantly to view.
a visible index.
-
Commerce.
-
available or accessible; already existing, as goods in a warehouse or in transit as opposed to goods in production.
visible supply.
-
involving actual goods that have been recorded or accounted for.
visible trade.
-
-
prepared or converted for visual presentation; represented visually.
adjective
-
capable of being perceived by the eye
-
capable of being perceived by the mind; evident
no visible dangers
-
available
the visible resources
-
(of an index or file) using a flexible display system for the contents
-
of or relating to the balance of trade
visible transactions
-
represented by visible symbols
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of visible
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin vīsibilis, from vīs(us) “seen” ( see vision) + -ibilis -ible
Explanation
If you describe something as visible, you are saying you can see it. Certain things are not visible to the naked eye, but that doesn't mean they are invisible, you may just need a microscope or telescope to see them. The adjective visible also means obvious to the eye. You'd use this sense if you want to point out obvious flaws in an object such as a car with visible dents and scratches. A third meaning for the adjective is easily available or accessible: You may try to be a visible presence in your kids' lives — although sometimes they would prefer that you blend into the woodwork — so that they know they can count on you and come to you with any problem.
Vocabulary lists containing visible
Common Senses: Vid, Vis ("See")
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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.
The "hyperscalers" and other companies have made huge capital investments in AI infrastructure, and these investments have already had a visible and meaningful impact on jobs and on GDP growth.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
Sometimes bands break up for one specific or large reason, and sometimes it is a chain of events, seemingly unrelated, or not visible from the outside.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
Those same stadium-linked businesses backing the billboard blight initiative are also behind some of the city’s most visible and controversial digital advertising displays on stadium properties, which have changed Inglewood’s streetscape in recent years.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Strategy Executive Chairman Michael Saylor has become one of the most visible Bitcoin bulls over the last few years, and the decision to sell—while not totally unexpected —likely dented retail investors’ confidence in the asset.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
At once, Boaz’s eyes rolled back, with only the whites visible, and the fluorescents began to flicker.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
