salient

American  

[sey-lee-uhnt, seyl-yuhnt] / ˈseɪ li ənt, ˈseɪl yənt /

adjective

1. prominent or conspicuous.

   salient traits.

   Synonyms:

   remarkable, striking, important

   Antonyms:

   unimportant, inconspicuous

2. projecting or pointing outward.

   a salient angle.

3. leaping or jumping.

   a salient animal.

4. Heraldry. (of a beast) represented as leaping.

   a lion salient.

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noun

1. a salient angle or part, as the central outward-projecting angle of a bastion or an outward projection in a battle line.

2. Physical Geography. a landform that extends out beyond its surroundings, as a spur projecting from the side of a mountain.

salient British  

/ ˈseɪlɪənt /

adjective

1. prominent, conspicuous, or striking

   a salient feature

2. (esp in fortifications) projecting outwards at an angle of less than 180° Compare re-entrant

3. geometry (of an angle) pointing outwards from a polygon and hence less than 180° Compare re-entrant

4. (esp of animals) leaping

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noun

1. military a projection of the forward line into enemy-held territory

2. a salient angle

Other Word Forms

• salience noun
• saliently adverb
• unsalient adjective
• unsaliently adverb

Etymology

Origin of salient

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin salient-, stem of saliēns “jumping,” present participle of salīre “to spring, jump”

Explanation

If something stands out in a very obvious way, it can be called salient. It's time to find new friends if the differences between you and your current friends are becoming more and more salient. Salient, from the Latin verb salire, "to leap," was originally used in English to refer to leaping animals such as a frog or deer and may still be used this way. Often, however, it is used in math or geography to mean protruding. A salient angle juts outward rather than inward. Figuratively, it means noticeable or prominent. When giving an argument, make your most salient points at the beginning or the end.

Example Sentences

At the court hearing in February, Tinsley established that Tamasi’s job was to collect and preserve all salient evidence for police investigations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

In the U.S., where the Treasury has decided to continue to rely on short-term instruments, the risk of rollover is becoming more salient.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Standing in front of him every day and trying to ask him salient questions was often futile.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

“Households remember salient price increases — eggs, meat, child care, home repairs — far more vividly than aggregate statistics. These memory effects persist for years or even generations.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

The committee report consisted of seven resolutions that addressed this salient question: What are the powers vested in Congress, under the present constitution, relating to the abolition of slavery”?

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• arresting
• conspicuous
• pertinent
• weighty