ENGLISH
REFERENCE

conspicuous

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //kənˈspɪkjuəs// UK //kənspˈɪkjuːəs// con·spic·u·ous

adj. very easy to see or notice, often because it is different from everything else around it.

adj. clearly visible or attracting attention through being unusual or striking. Often used predicatively after a linking verb or attributively to describe a lack of subtlety.


SIMPLE

The red bird was conspicuous against the white snow.

CONTEXTUAL

His absence from the meeting was conspicuous, as he is usually the first person to arrive.

COMPLEX

The new skyscraper is a conspicuous addition to the skyline, its glass facade reflecting the sun with a brilliance that dominates the surrounding historical architecture.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Latin conspicuus (“visible, striking”), from cōnspicere (“to notice”), from con- (“with, together”) + specere (“to look at”).

Usage

Often pairs with the adverb 'highly' or 'very'. Frequently appears in the phrase 'conspicuous consumption' to describe spending money on luxury goods to show off wealth.

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