conspicuous

[kuhn-spik-yoo-uhs]

adjective

1. easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable.

   a conspicuous error.

   Synonyms: salient, marked, clear, noticeable, manifest

2. attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities.

   He was conspicuous by his booming laughter.

   Synonyms: noteworthy, striking, prominent

conspicuous

/ kənˈspɪkjʊəs /

adjective

1. clearly visible; obvious or showy

2. attracting attention because of a striking quality or feature

   conspicuous stupidity

Other Word Forms

• conspicuousness noun
• conspicuously adverb
• conspicuity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conspicuous¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin conspicuus “clearly seen, visible,” equivalent to conspic(ere) “to see, catch sight of” + -uus adjective suffix; conspectus; contiguous, continuous, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of conspicuous¹

C16: from Latin conspicuus, from conspicere to perceive; see _conspectus

Example Sentences

Such effects are most conspicuous in digital natives—those who grew up with smartphones and social media.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The George Medal is Britain's second-highest civilian bravery award after the George Cross, and is given for "conspicuous gallantry not in the presence of the enemy".

Read more on BBC

But his most conspicuous breach involves the governor’s Trumpy transformation into a social media troll.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There’s even something passive-aggressive about Suzanne’s show of concern for all viewpoints, a trait that becomes all the more conspicuous after a crisis erupts at the school.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As the youngster curiously mulled about, moving sticks around, some conspicuous features became clear.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blatant 
• flagrant 
• glaring 
• influential 
• notable 
• remarkable 
• salient 
• striking