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

• apparent
• observable
• seeable
• visual

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 stunning nighttime display of pink and purple lights across the sky was mostly visible in the high desert and along Highway 2 in the Angeles National Forest. —Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024

In some cases, the lights may be more visible through a phone or other camera. —Enquirer Staff, The Enquirer, 11 May 2024

This storm is predicted to be visible from Northern California and southern states such as Alabama, per the NOAA scale. —Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024

Above you, a field of 60 rectangular light boxes cycles through the visible spectrum from the edge of ultraviolet to nearly infrared. —Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times, 10 May 2024

The northern half of the U.S. is forecasted to be in the view path where the auroras may be most visible. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Experts say the aurora might be visible Friday, Saturday or Sunday night. —John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 10 May 2024

The probe became visible in late March, after the Union-Tribune obtained copies of correspondence from SANDAG leaders to staff urging them to cooperate with investigators if they are approached with questions. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024

Instead of reporting the leak, Falaschi allegedly told his employee to install a gate that could be opened and closed, to put a lock on that gate, and to do it all in such a way that the setup wasn’t easily visible. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024

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

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