1 conspicuous | Definition of conspicuous
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conspicuous

adjective
con·​spic·​u·​ous | \ kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs How to pronounce conspicuous (audio) , -kyü-əs\

Definition of conspicuous

1 : obvious to the eye or mind conspicuous changes The bird has a conspicuous red head.
2 : attracting attention : striking a conspicuous success His absence was conspicuous.
3 : marked by a noticeable violation of good taste
Other Words from conspicuous Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about conspicuous

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Other Words from conspicuous

conspicuously adverb
conspicuousness \ kən-​ˈspi-​kyə-​wəs-​nəs How to pronounce conspicuousness (audio) , -​kyü-​əs-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for conspicuous

noticeable, remarkable, prominent, outstanding, conspicuous, salient, striking mean attracting notice or attention. noticeable applies to something unlikely to escape observation. a piano recital with no noticeable errors remarkable applies to something so extraordinary or exceptional as to invite comment. a film of remarkable intelligence and wit prominent applies to something commanding notice by standing out from its surroundings or background. a doctor who occupies a prominent position in the town outstanding applies to something that rises above and excels others of the same kind. honored for her outstanding contributions to science conspicuous applies to something that is obvious and unavoidable to the sight or mind. conspicuous bureaucratic waste salient applies to something of significance that merits the attention given it. the salient points of the speech striking applies to something that impresses itself powerfully and deeply upon the observer's mind or vision. the region's striking poverty

Examples of conspicuous in a Sentence

Conspicuous species of large organisms with small populations are vulnerable—and several fishes and marine mammals, including Steller's sea cow, have succumbed. — Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History, June 1991 Its most conspicuous feature was knee breeches, which showed off his well-turned legs and feet. — Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, 1984 There were a number of conspicuous changes to the building. The sign was placed in a very conspicuous spot. The bird has a conspicuous red head. She felt very conspicuous in her pink coat. He was uncomfortable about his conspicuous weight gain. The business was a conspicuous success.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The movie is at its best when those traces are most conspicuous. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "“Where’d You Go, Bernadette,” Reviewed: Richard Linklater’s Narrow View of a Creator in Crisis," 26 Aug. 2019 But the similarities between Remus and Gatsby are conspicuous. — Angela Serratore, Smithsonian, "The Bootleg King and the Ambitious Prosecutor Who Took Him Down," 1 Aug. 2019 The lineup is conspicuous for its eclecticism, putting rap, rock, country, indie pop and other genres back to back. — Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, "Delayed by hurricane, MOB Music Fest breezes back into Mobile," 8 Aug. 2019 Other than an owl or a night hawk, that’s about the only bird that would be up that early and the only one that would be so conspicuous. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, "Rodeo woman’s family thinks she’s courting trouble feeding feral cats," 5 Aug. 2019 So far, the fight over fur has been far more conspicuous. — J. David Goodman, New York Times, "When Big Tobacco Invoked Eric Garner to Fight a Menthol Cigarette Ban," 14 July 2019 In the Bohmian view, nonlocality is even more conspicuous. — Quanta Magazine, "New Support for Alternative Quantum View," 16 May 2016 Any conspicuous weakening of the yuan against its American counterpart makes people nervous, regardless of what is happening to the broader basket. — The Economist, "Why a weakening yuan is rattling markets," 5 Aug. 2019 Margot Robbie, Awkwafina, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Naomi Watts, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez and the Kardashians have also been conspicuous bralette wearers. — Linda Dyett, New York Times, "The Bralette Is Back. This Time Blouses Are Optional.," 31 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conspicuous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of conspicuous

circa 1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for conspicuous

Latin conspicuus, from conspicere to get sight of, from com- + specere to look — more at spy

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More Definitions for conspicuous

conspicuous

adjective
How to pronounce conspicuous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of conspicuous

: very easy to see or notice
: attracting attention by being great or impressive

See the full definition for conspicuous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

conspicuous

adjective
con·​spic·​u·​ous | \ kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs How to pronounce conspicuous (audio) \

Kids Definition of conspicuous

1 : easily seen Put the sign in a conspicuous spot.

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