conspicuous

[ kuhn-spik-yoo-uhs ]

adjective

1. easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable:

   a conspicuous error.

   Synonyms: salient, marked, clear, noticeable, manifest

2. attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities:

   He was conspicuous by his booming laughter.

   Synonyms: noteworthy, striking, prominent

conspicuous

/ kənˈspɪkjʊəs /

adjective

1. clearly visible; obvious or showy
2. attracting attention because of a striking quality or feature

   conspicuous stupidity

Derived Forms

• conˈspicuousness, noun
• conˈspicuously, adverb

Other Words From

• con·spic·u·ous·ly adverb
• con·spic·u·ous·ness con·spi·cu·i·ty [kon-spi-, kyoo, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conspicuous¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin conspicuus “clearly seen, visible,” equivalent to conspic(ere) “to see, catch sight of” + -uus adjective suffix; conspectus; contiguous, continuous, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of conspicuous¹

C16: from Latin conspicuus, from conspicere to perceive; see conspectus

Example Sentences

They added it was interesting that great white sharks were less attracted to the most conspicuous lights because other studies have found some species were drawn to bright, reflective objects.

From BBC

“The popular kids these days are musicians, they’re athletes, they're performers. And what is that uniform they wear? It's the gold chains, it's the very conspicuous fashion.”

From Salon

Perhaps the most conspicuous instance of this is climate change.

From Salon

The ticking clock may be more conspicuous in the Southwest because it already experiences very high temperatures through much of the year, but it is hardly limited there.

From Salon

“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” adds a novel ingredient — Mormonism — to the usual pettiness, plastic surgery and conspicuous consumption.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blatant
• flagrant
• glaring
• influential
• notable
• remarkable
• salient
• striking