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adjective Uncommon

conspicuous

kuhn-SPIHK-yoo-uhs

Conspicuous (adjective) means Easy to notice; standing out clearly. Example: “The bright orange jacket made him conspicuous in the crowd.”

adjective
1
Easy to notice; standing out clearly.
"The bright orange jacket made him conspicuous in the crowd."
"Her absence from the meeting was conspicuous."

How to use conspicuous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishVery noticeable, often more so than intended.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
conspicuous absence conspicuous consumption conspicuously placed

Word forms

more conspicuous comparative, most conspicuous superlative

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Test yourself on “conspicuous” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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Can you complete this real example?

The bright orange jacket made him _____ in the crowd.

Etymology

From Latin conspicuus, "visible, striking," from conspicere, "to catch sight of" — con- plus specere, "to look at."

Origin: Latin

attention-grabbing eye-catching flashy glossy grabby high-profile prominent salient

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for conspicuous

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Frequently asked questions

What does “conspicuous” mean?

The word “conspicuous” means easy to notice; standing out clearly. In plain terms, very noticeable, often more so than intended.

How do you pronounce “conspicuous”?

“Conspicuous” is pronounced kuhn-SPIHK-yoo-uhs (/kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ in IPA).

How do you use “conspicuous” in a sentence?

Here is “conspicuous” used in a sentence: “The bright orange jacket made him conspicuous in the crowd.”

What is another word for “conspicuous”?

Words with a similar meaning to “conspicuous” include attention-grabbing, eye-catching, flashy, glossy, grabby and high-profile.

What is the opposite of “conspicuous”?

The opposite of “conspicuous” — its antonyms — is inconspicuous.

What part of speech is “conspicuous”?

“Conspicuous” is an adjective.

Where does the word “conspicuous” come from?

The word “conspicuous” comes from Latin. From Latin conspicuus, "visible, striking," from conspicere, "to catch sight of" — con- plus specere, "to look at.".

Is “conspicuous” a common word?

“Conspicuous” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial