visible

[viz-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. that can be seen; perceptible to the eye.

   mountains visible in the distance.

   Synonyms: discernible

2. apparent; manifest; obvious.

   a man with no visible means of support.

   Synonyms: evident, discernible

3. being constantly or frequently in the public view; conspicuous.

   a visible political position.

4. noting or pertaining to a system of keeping records or information on cards or sheets in such a way that the desired reference can be brought instantly to view.

   a visible index.

5. Commerce.

   1. available or accessible; already existing, as goods in a warehouse or in transit as opposed to goods in production.

      visible supply.

   2. involving actual goods that have been recorded or accounted for.

      visible trade.

6. prepared or converted for visual presentation; represented visually.

visible

/ ˈvɪzɪbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being perceived by the eye

2. capable of being perceived by the mind; evident

   no visible dangers

3. available

   the visible resources

4. (of an index or file) using a flexible display system for the contents

5. of or relating to the balance of trade

   visible transactions

6. represented by visible symbols

noun

1. a visible item of trade; product

Other Word Forms

• visibleness noun
• visibly adverb
• nonvisible adjective
• nonvisibly adverb
• previsible adjective
• previsibly adverb
• unvisible adjective
• unvisibleness noun
• unvisibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of visible¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin vīsibilis, from vīs(us) “seen” ( vision ) + -ibilis -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of visible¹

C14: from Latin vīsibilis, from vidēre to see

Example Sentences

This pattern was already visible in the previous major technological leap: computerization.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Because radio waves can penetrate dust and gas that obscure visible light, radio telescopes can observe galaxies invisible to optical instruments.

Read more on Science Daily

That fog has made the Fed’s data dependence both more visible and more difficult to evaluate.

Read more on Barron's

Bukayo: He believed in Arsenal, believed in the pathway, and it was visible.

Read more on BBC

Satellite images from all three camps show the extent of the damage, with narrow, barely visible streets now wide enough for military vehicles, including tanks, to pass through.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• clear 
• conspicuous 
• detectable www.thesaurus.com
• discernible 
• distinguishable 
• evident 
• noticeable 
• obvious 
• palpable 
• striking 
• unmistakable