patently
Britishadverb
Explanation
Use the adverb patently when you want to emphasize something as clearly obvious. For example, you might say "It's patently clear that you hate spinach." It might be patently obvious to you that your roommate forgot to take out the trash, or patently absurd that your brother thinks he will have a long, successful career as a street magician and fire juggler. Either way, the word patently serves to emphasize how apparent or clear your observation is. The Latin root of patently makes its meaning patently clear: patere means "lie open" or "be open."
Vocabulary lists containing patently
Revolution in Our Time
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Life of Pi
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Nectar in a Sieve
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Another key differentiator has become patently clear: As a private company, Clear is shielded from the staffing shortages among TSA officials, which have contributed to hourslong wait times at airports across the country.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
Johnson & Johnson said it would appeal the verdict, which it called “egregious and patently unconstitutional.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025
She added: "I'd never seen anything quite so patently explicit about the extent to which a university would go to ensure that they have Chinese student income."
From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025
A spokeswoman for Skydance disputed misconduct by Shell, adding, “Any accusation that Jeff Shell tried to lower the price or devalue the franchise in any way is not only nonsensical but patently false.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025
It was a perfectly respectable appliance for, say, buttering pancakes, but patently inadequate for defending oneself against 400 pounds of ravenous fur.
From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson
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.
