visible

adjective vis·i·ble \ˈvi-zə-bəl\

: able to be seen

: easily seen or understood

: known to or noticed by the public

Full Definition of VISIBLE

a : capable of being seen <stars visible to the naked eye>

b : situated in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum perceptible to human vision <visible light> —used of radiation having a wavelength between about 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers

a : exposed to view <the visible horizon>

b (1) : conspicuous <has played a highly visible role in the negotiations> (2) : well-known <a highly visible politician>

: capable of being discovered or perceived : recognizable <no visible means of support>

: accessible 4 <visible resources>

: devised to keep a particular part or item always in full view or readily seen or referred to <a visible index>

— vis·i·ble·ness noun

— vis·i·bly \-blē\ adverb

See visible defined for English-language learners

See visible defined for kids

Origin of VISIBLE

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin visibilis, from visus, past participle of vidēre to see

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VISIBLE

Synonyms: apparent, observable, seeable, visual

Antonyms: invisible, sightless, viewless

Rhymes with VISIBLE

risible

VISIBLY Defined for Kids

visible

adjective vis·i·ble \ˈvi-zə-bəl\

Definition of VISIBLE for Kids

: capable of being seen <Getting the shutters open was another matter. Though no fastener was visible, they were locked. — Franklin W. Dixon, The Secret Panel>

: easily seen or understood : obvious <Her anger was quite visible.>

— vis·i·bly \-blē\ adverb

Word Root of VISIBLE

The Latin word vidēre, meaning “to see”, and its form vīsis give us the roots vid and vis. Words from the Latin vidēre have something to do with seeing. Anything visible is able to be seen. Something evident is able to be seen, sensed, or understood. The video part of a television is the part that is seen, as opposed to the part that is heard. Vision is the ability to see. To visit is to go somewhere to see someone.

Medical Dictionary