evident

adjective

ev·​i·​dent ˈe-və-dənt 

-və-ˌdent

: clear to the vision or understanding

Synonyms of evident

• apparent
• presumed
• possible
• obvious

Choose the Right Synonym for evident

evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent, plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended.

evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

her feelings about him are plain

clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

Examples of evident in a Sentence

She spoke with evident anguish about the death of her son.

The problems have been evident for quite some time.

Recent Examples on the Web

When Israel launched the surprise war against Iran last summer, the depth of its infiltration became evident when it was revealed that Israeli intelligence agents smuggled weapons into the country and used them to strike high-value targets from within Iranian territory. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026

The spa Asian—specifically, Balinese—influences are again evident in the decor, massage techniques, and ingredients used at the 30,000-square-foot Mandara Spa, the Atlantis location of the beloved wellness brand that operates at resorts around the world and on Norwegian Cruise Line sailings. —Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026

The Canucks managed a push late, aided by a Tage Thompson double minor penalty and a pair of favourable bounces, but the gap in quality between these two teams was evident right from puck drop. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

The toll of playing for the third time in four nights against three of the best teams in the NHL looked evident at times. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin evident-, evidens, from e- + vident-, videns, present participle of vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing evident

• self-evident

Kids Definition

evident

adjective

ev·​i·​dent ˈev-əd-ənt 

-ə-ˌdent

: clear to the sight or mind : plain

was evident that they were twins

Etymology

Middle English evident "clearly seen or understood," from early French evident (same meaning), from Latin evident-, evidens (same meaning), from e-, ex- "out, away" and vident-, videns, a form of vidēre "to see" — related to vision