visible

1 of 2

adjective

vis·​i·​ble ˈvi-zə-bəl 

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

ˈvi-zə-blē 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• noticeable
• visual
• observable
• apparent

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

At the same time, Stella also got bullied for her seborrheic dermatitis, a different inflammatory skin condition that cropped up on her scalp and created visible patches of flaky skin. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 30 Oct. 2025

Such a bullish market condition has led to visible business improvement in the third quarter of 2025 for some leading players, including LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and L’Oréal. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025

Noun

Making the invisible visible In the early 1900s, tuberculosis (TB) killed more people than any other cause. —Dr. Tom Frieden, Time, 30 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing visible

• sub-visible
• visible means of support
• visible speech
• visible to the naked eye

Rhymes for visible

• divisible
• invisible

Kids Definition

visible

adjective

vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of being seen

stars visible to the naked eye

2

: easily seen or understood : obvious

no visible means of support

visibly

-blē 

adverb

Medical Definition

visible

adjective

vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of being seen : perceptible to vision

particulates visible to the naked eye

2

: situated in the visible spectrum

visible light