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."
"He was conspicuous by his absence."
How to use conspicuous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery noticeable, often more so than intended.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
conspicuous absence
conspicuous consumption
conspicuously placed
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more conspicuous
- Superlative
- most conspicuous
Fill the gap
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."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for conspicuous
See all rhymes for conspicuous →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.
