First Known Use: circa 1534
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
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Examples of CONSPICUOUS
- 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
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Origin of CONSPICUOUS
Latin conspicuus, from conspicere to get sight of, from com- + specere to look — more at spy
Related to CONSPICUOUS
- Synonyms
- arresting, bodacious, bold, brilliant, catchy, commanding, noticeable, dramatic, emphatic, eye-catching, flamboyant, grabby, kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish], marked, noisy, prominent, pronounced, remarkable, showy, splashy, striking
- Antonyms
- inconspicuous, unemphatic, unflamboyant, unnoticeable, unobtrusive, unremarkable, unshowy
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.>
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.
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