visible

1 of 2

adjective

vis·​i·​ble ˈvi-zə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
1
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
2
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
3
: capable of being discovered or perceived : recognizable
no visible means of support
4
: accessible sense 2
visible resources
5
: devised to keep a particular part or item always in full view or readily seen or referred to
a visible index
visibleness noun
visibly adverb

visible

2 of 2

noun

plural visibles
: a visible person or thing : someone or something that can be seen or perceived
He achieved important results in both these endeavors, which, being visible, have received ample notice as the visibles of history usually do …Barbara W. Tuchman

Examples of visible in a Sentence

Adjective The ship was not visible through the fog. The ship was barely visible. The patient showed no visible symptoms. There was a visible change in his mood. They played a highly visible role in the negotiations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The root buds around the edge of the stem should be visible. Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024 Smiling widely on the red carpet, Anderson’s freckled skin shone with health, a natural forehead, and smile lines wonderfully visible. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 Harry Brereton London’s most expensive restaurant has its least visible presence. Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 Wu has been refining her method for years, building mosaics of paint shards atop surfaces whose contrasting colors are visible through gaps, usually but not always tiny. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Brittany’s bare legs were visible, and the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was shirtless, sporting a hat. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Other planets won’t be visible or won’t be worth the effort. The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 If the moon isn’t visible, lunar calculations are used to predict its location in the sky. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 In 1970, work began on adding more boat slips and a couple of small outbuildings to the site, connecting the park to McKinley Marina and McKinley Beach to the north (both visible at the top of the video). Eva Wen, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'visible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of visible was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near visible

Cite this Entry

“Visible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visible. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

visible

adjective
vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
1
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
2
: easily seen or understood : obvious
no visible means of support
visibly adverb

Medical Definition

visible

adjective
vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
1
: capable of being seen : perceptible to vision
particulates visible to the naked eye
2
: situated in the visible spectrum
visible light

More from Merriam-Webster on visible

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