invisible

American  

[in-viz-uh-buhl] / ɪnˈvɪz ə bəl /

adjective

1. not visible; not perceptible by the eye.

   invisible fluid.

2. withdrawn from or out of sight; hidden.

   an invisible seam.

   Synonyms:

   obscure, veiled

3. not perceptible or discernible by the mind.

   invisible differences.

4. not ordinarily found in financial statements or reflected in statistics or a listing.

   Goodwill is an invisible asset to a business.

5. concealed from public knowledge.

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noun

1. an invisible thing or being.

2. the invisible, the unseen or spiritual world.

invisible British  

/ ɪnˈvɪzəbəl /

adjective

1. not visible; not able to be perceived by the eye

   invisible rays

2. concealed from sight; hidden

3. not easily seen or noticed

   invisible mending

4. kept hidden from public view; secret; clandestine

5. economics of or relating to services rather than goods in relation to the invisible balance

   invisible earnings

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noun

1. economics an invisible item of trade; service

Other Word Forms

• invisibility noun
• invisibleness noun
• invisibly adverb
• quasi-invisible adjective
• quasi-invisibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of invisible

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word invīsibilis. See in- ³, visible

Example Sentences

We crossed dark side streets, crested bridges, wheeled round invisible corners.

From Literature

We could not tell from which direction they were coming because they seemed to be all around us, but invisible.

From Literature

But that was far in the invisible future.

From Literature

My throat was furry with it, but I swallowed it down and took my place, wishing I were invisible.

From Literature

Even when the letter fragment is back on the floor of my locker my hand still feels the filth, the invisible sick on my fingers.

From Literature

Related Words

• imperceptible
• microscopic
• unseen