conspicuous

adjective

con·​spic·​u·​ous kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs 

-kyü-əs

1

: obvious to the eye or mind

The bird has a conspicuous red head.

There are a number of conspicuous changes to the building.

Many of the old portraits have been taken down or moved to a less conspicuous place.

—Katie Hafner

2

: attracting attention : striking

conspicuous bravery

Their absence was conspicuous.

The business was a conspicuous success.

3

: marked by a noticeable violation of good taste

a conspicuous necktie

… he was against spending money for cement sidewalks, which he considered conspicuous waste.

—Edmund Ware Smith

conspicuously adverb

The sign was placed very conspicuously.

conspicuousness

kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs-nəs 

-kyü-əs-

noun

the conspicuousness of the pattern

Synonyms of conspicuous

• noticeable
• prominent
• commanding
• remarkable
• dramatic
• marked

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

For so long the biggest gravitational pull on the narrative during Masters week, Woods is now conspicuous by his absence. —Don Riddell, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026

This could be because the economic violence that targets civilians is less conspicuous than the violence of armed conflict. —Mark Weisbrot, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026

His purge of senior officers who are Black or female has been conspicuous. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026

Strong greens as the primary colors are quite conspicuous in early spring before there is much green foliage. —Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing conspicuous

• conspicuous by their absence
• conspicuous consumption

Kids Definition

conspicuous

adjective

con·​spic·​u·​ous kən-ˈspik-yə-wəs 

1

: easily seen

2

: attracting attention : striking

conspicuously adverb

conspicuousness noun