inconspicuous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of inconspicuous
From the Latin word inconspicuus, dating back to 1615–25. See in- 3, conspicuous
Explanation
Inconspicuous describes something that doesn't stand out or attract attention. The bad news? You just got pizza sauce on your shirt. The good news? It landed in an inconspicuous spot, so no one will notice. Inconspicuous comes from the Latin word inconspicuus, or "not visible," and the original meaning of inconspicuous was "invisible," until around 1828. Today, it describes anything that blends in or isn't very noticeable. If you have ever tried to find your black luggage among all the other pieces of black luggage at the airport, you know that sometimes, being inconspicuous makes things harder.
Vocabulary lists containing inconspicuous
Speak
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "I"
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The Jungle
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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.
This regression is usually “incremental and often inconspicuous, spanning years or even decades,” the report’s authors write.
From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026
A heated mattress pad can offer many of the same benefits, often with separate zones for two sleepers, and with inconspicuous wiring.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026
It is difficult for the England players to remain inconspicuous, and they have been happy to interact with locals and travelling supporters.
From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025
Microsoft is set to profit from AI in two ways, Guggenheim said—one obvious and the other more inconspicuous.
From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025
Just as there is a way to walk in a room in order to make yourself stand out, there is a way of walking and behaving that makes you inconspicuous.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
