adj
inconspicuous
ihng-kuhn-SPIHKY-wuhs
Inconspicuous (adj) means not easily noticed; blending into the background. Example: “She wore plain clothes to stay inconspicuous in the crowd.”
adj
1
Not easily noticed; blending into the background.
"She wore plain clothes to stay inconspicuous in the crowd."
"The camera was hidden in an inconspicuous spot near the ceiling."
"Look at those men! They were supposed to be inconspicuous!"
— Dalton Trumbo, Ian McLellan Hunter (1953)
How to use inconspicuous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot standing out — easy to overlook.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
remain inconspicuous
inconspicuous location
try to be inconspicuous
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more inconspicuous
- Superlative
- most inconspicuous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore plain clothes to stay _____ in the crowd.
Etymology
From Late Latin incōnspicuus, from in- ("not") plus conspicuus ("visible, clear").
Synonyms
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invisible
discreet
improminent
inevident
inobtrusive
low-profile
noteless
obscure
unevident
unconspicuous
unobtrusive
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inconspicuous
See all rhymes for inconspicuous →Frequently asked questions
What does “inconspicuous” mean?
The word “inconspicuous” means not easily noticed; blending into the background. In plain terms, not standing out — easy to overlook.
How do you pronounce “inconspicuous”?
“Inconspicuous” is pronounced ihng-kuhn-SPIHKY-wuhs (/ˌɪn.kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “inconspicuous” in a sentence?
Here is “inconspicuous” used in a sentence: “She wore plain clothes to stay inconspicuous in the crowd.”
What is another word for “inconspicuous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “inconspicuous” include discreet, improminent, inevident, inobtrusive, low-profile and noteless.
What is the opposite of “inconspicuous”?
The opposite of “inconspicuous” — its antonyms — is conspicuous.
What part of speech is “inconspicuous”?
“Inconspicuous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inconspicuous” come from?
The word “inconspicuous” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin incōnspicuus, from in- ("not") plus conspicuus ("visible, clear").
