English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj B1 Intermediate Common

visible

VIH-zihbl

Visible (adj) means Able to be seen. Example: “The mountain was clearly visible from their hotel balcony.”

adj
1
Able to be seen.
"The mountain was clearly visible from their hotel balcony."
"His nervousness was visible even from the back of the room."

How to use visible

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCapable of being seen.

Common pairings
clearly visible barely visible visible to the naked eye

Word forms

more visible comparative, most visible superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “visible” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The mountain was clearly _____ from their hotel balcony.

Etymology

From Old French visible, from Late Latin visibilis, "able to be seen," from Latin videre, "to see."

Origin: Late Latin

Related words

Rhymes for visible

See all rhymes for visible →

Frequently asked questions

What does “visible” mean?

The word “visible” means able to be seen. In plain terms, capable of being seen.

How do you pronounce “visible”?

“Visible” is pronounced VIH-zihbl (/ˈvɪzɪb(ə)l/ in IPA).

How do you use “visible” in a sentence?

Here is “visible” used in a sentence: “The mountain was clearly visible from their hotel balcony.”

What is the opposite of “visible”?

The opposite of “visible” — its antonyms — are hidden and invisible.

What part of speech is “visible”?

“Visible” is an adjective.

Where does the word “visible” come from?

The word “visible” comes from Late Latin. From Old French visible, from Late Latin visibilis, "able to be seen," from Latin videre, "to see.".

Is “visible” a common word?

“Visible” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Is it visible or visable?

Visible is the only correct spelling; visable is a common misspelling. The word ends in -ible, not -able, like possible and terrible. If in doubt, remember it comes from the same root as vision.

What is the difference between visible and visual?

Visible means able to be seen, describing whether something can be perceived by the eye, as in "the coast was visible from the plane." Visual means relating to sight or seeing, as in visual arts or visual aids. Something visible can be seen; something visual has to do with the sense of sight.

What is the difference between visible and apparent?

Visible strictly means able to be seen with the eyes. Apparent can mean clearly seen or understood, but it also means seeming, which allows for the possibility of being untrue, as in "his apparent calm." Use visible for physical sight and apparent when something is evident or merely seems to be the case.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial