visible

[ viz-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. that can be seen; perceptible to the eye:

   mountains visible in the distance.

   Synonyms: discernible

2. apparent; manifest; obvious:

   a man with no visible means of support.

   Synonyms: evident, discernible

3. being constantly or frequently in the public view; conspicuous:

   a visible political position.

4. noting or pertaining to a system of keeping records or information on cards or sheets in such a way that the desired reference can be brought instantly to view:

   a visible index.

5. Commerce.
   1. available or accessible; already existing, as goods in a warehouse or in transit as opposed to goods in production:

      visible supply.

   2. involving actual goods that have been recorded or accounted for:

      visible trade.

6. prepared or converted for visual presentation; represented visually.

visible

/ ˈvɪzɪbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being perceived by the eye
2. capable of being perceived by the mind; evident

   no visible dangers

3. available

   the visible resources

4. (of an index or file) using a flexible display system for the contents
5. of or relating to the balance of trade

   visible transactions

6. represented by visible symbols

noun

1. a visible item of trade; product

Derived Forms

• ˈvisibly, adverb
• ˈvisibleness, noun

Other Words From

• visi·ble·ness noun
• visi·bly adverb
• non·visi·ble adjective
• non·visi·bly adverb
• pre·visi·ble adjective
• pre·visi·bly adverb
• un·visi·ble adjective
• un·visi·ble·ness noun
• un·visi·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of visible¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin vīsibilis, from vīs(us) “seen” ( vision ) + -ibilis -ible

Word History and Origins

Origin of visible¹

C14: from Latin vīsibilis, from vidēre to see

Example Sentences

The rights group shared images, which it said it had verified, of destroyed vehicles on the ground that had the Galix system visible on them.

From BBC

If strung vertically, along the length of the fake seal’s body, the lights don’t do enough to disrupt the silhouette visible from below.

From Los Angeles Times

So thick is the smog that it is visible even from space.

From BBC

In his early career, Haynes was not as highly visible to the broader jazz audience as Max Roach, his senior by a little more than a year.

From Los Angeles Times

There was visible redness in the center of his eye, but Davis said doctors cleared him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clear
• conspicuous
• detectable
• discernible
• distinguishable
• evident
• noticeable
• obvious
• palpable
• striking
• unmistakable