invisible

[ in-viz-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not visible; not perceptible by the eye:

   invisible fluid.

2. withdrawn from or out of sight; hidden:

   an invisible seam.

   Synonyms: obscure, veiled

3. not perceptible or discernible by the mind:

   invisible differences.

4. not ordinarily found in financial statements or reflected in statistics or a listing:

   Goodwill is an invisible asset to a business.

5. concealed from public knowledge.

noun

1. an invisible thing or being.
2. the invisible, the unseen or spiritual world.

invisible

/ ɪnˈvɪzəbəl /

adjective

1. not visible; not able to be perceived by the eye

   invisible rays

2. concealed from sight; hidden
3. not easily seen or noticed

   invisible mending

4. kept hidden from public view; secret; clandestine
5. economics of or relating to services rather than goods in relation to the invisible balance

   invisible earnings

noun

1. economics an invisible item of trade; service

Derived Forms

• inˌvisiˈbility, noun
• inˈvisibly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·visi·bili·ty in·visi·ble·ness noun
• in·visi·bly adverb
• quasi-in·visi·ble adjective
• quasi-in·visi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of invisible¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word invīsibilis. See in- ³, visible

Example Sentences

“Although we sisters are supposed to be invisible, God has nevertheless given us eyes and ears,” she announces to a roomful of cardinals during an especially brutal torpedoing session.

From Salon

Axions are one possible solution to the cosmic mystery of dark matter, the invisible stuff that appears to provide most of the gravity needed to keep galaxies from whirling to pieces.

From Science Magazine

These findings emphasize the importance of ancient DNA in reconstructing human history, demonstrating how traits that once conferred a survival advantage in early Europeans were rendered invisible in the genetic landscape of today.

From Science Daily

But much of their work is "invisible," sometimes even to the women themselves.

From Science Daily

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said England's care system was "bankrupting councils, letting families down, and above all, leaving too many children feeling forgotten, powerless and invisible".

From BBC

Related Words

• imperceptible
• microscopic
• unseen