conspicuous
English
Etymology
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(deprecated template usage) From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin conspicuus (“visible, striking”), from cōnspicere (“to notice”), from con- (“with, together”) + specere (“to look at”)
Pronunciation
Adjective
conspicuous (comparative more conspicuous, superlative most conspicuous)
- Obvious or easy to notice.
- 1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 7, in Well Tackled![1]:
- “No, don't,” replied the superintendent; “in fact, I'd rather you made yourself conspicuous elsewhere. Go down to the landing stage and cross to New Brighton or Wallasey—doesn't matter which—and come back. No doubt you will be seen, and reported to have gone across.”
- He was conspicuous by his absence.
- Noticeable or attracting attention, especially if unattractive.
- 1969, Saul Bellow, Mr Sammler's Planet, Penguin Books Ltd, page 6:
- For his height he had a small face. The combination made him conspicuous.
- He had a conspicuous lump on his forehead.
- 1969, Saul Bellow, Mr Sammler's Planet, Penguin Books Ltd, page 6:
Synonyms
- (easy to notice): observable, perceivable; see also Thesaurus:perceptible
- (attracting attention): flashy, prominent
Antonyms
- (all): inconspicuous
Related terms
Translations
obvious or easy to notice
noticeable or attracting attention, especially if unattractive
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Further reading
- w:Conspicuous consumption
- w:Conspicuous leisure
- “conspicuous”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “conspicuous”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “conspicuous”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.