visible

American  

[viz-uh-buhl] / ˈvɪz ə bəl /

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 British  

/ 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

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

Etymology

Origin of visible

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

Explanation

If you describe something as visible, you are saying you can see it. Certain things are not visible to the naked eye, but that doesn't mean they are invisible, you may just need a microscope or telescope to see them. The adjective visible also means obvious to the eye. You'd use this sense if you want to point out obvious flaws in an object such as a car with visible dents and scratches. A third meaning for the adjective is easily available or accessible: You may try to be a visible presence in your kids' lives — although sometimes they would prefer that you blend into the woodwork — so that they know they can count on you and come to you with any problem.

Example Sentences

Not all of those layers were visible to the public.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

As he moves through Davidson’s life, Jones gradually heightens Davidson’s visible exhaustion, trying to manage a condition that no one in his orbit understands.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Yet the limits of the effort are visible in who is not in the room: the world’s three largest greenhouse gas emitters, China, the U.S. and India.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Khamenei's late father signalled intent through speeches, calibrated appearances, and visible arbitration between factions.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

At a bowl of brown hair, a big pair of glasses visible amid the clump of weeds and trees.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• clear
• conspicuous
• detectable
• discernible
• distinguishable
• evident
• noticeable
• obvious
• palpable
• striking
• unmistakable