Dictionary

conspicuous

adjective con·spic·u·ous \kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs, -kyü-əs\

: very easy to see or notice

: attracting attention by being great or impressive

Full Definition of CONSPICUOUS

1
:  obvious to the eye or mind <conspicuous changes>
2
:  attracting attention :  striking <a conspicuous success>
3
:  marked by a noticeable violation of good taste
con·spic·u·ous·ly adverb
con·spic·u·ous·ness \-nəs\ noun
ADVERTISEMENT

Examples of CONSPICUOUS

  1. 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

Origin of CONSPICUOUS

Latin conspicuus, from conspicere to get sight of, from com- + specere to look — more at spy
First Known Use: circa 1534

Synonym Discussion of 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>.

Rhymes with CONSPICUOUS

CONSPICUOUS Defined for Kids

conspicuous

adjective con·spic·u·ous \kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs\

Definition of CONSPICUOUS for Kids

1
:  easily seen <Put the sign in a conspicuous spot.>
2
:  attracting attention :  prominent <I felt conspicuous.>
con·spic·u·ous·ly adverb

Word Root of CONSPICUOUS

The Latin word specere, meaning to look or to look at, gives us the roots spec, spic, and spect. Words from the Latin specere have something to do with looking or watching. A spectator is a person who watches something, such as a sports event. Anything conspicuous is easy to see. To inspect is to look very closely at all parts of something. A specimen, or sample, is one example or one part that can show what the rest look like.

Browse

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: conspicuous consumptionPrevious Word in the Dictionary: conspicuityAll Words Near: conspicuous
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears