invisible
adj.-
1 cannot be seen (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediateimpossible to see with your eyes.
incapable of being perceived by sight; not visible to the eye.
ExampleOxygen is an invisible gas that we all need to breathe.
ExampleThe bacteria were invisible to the naked eye, requiring a high-powered microscope for any meaningful observation.
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2 ignored by society (adj.) C1 Advanced Academic Psychologyused to describe people or problems that are ignored or not noticed by society.
metaphorically applied to individuals or social issues that are systematically ignored or marginalised by the dominant culture.
ExampleMany homeless people feel invisible when they walk through the city.
ExampleThe report highlights the plight of invisible workers in the gig economy who lack basic legal protections and social recognition.
- ignored
- overlooked
- marginalised
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3 hidden online status (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Computingappearing to be offline on a chat app or website even though you are actually using it.
pertaining to a user status in instant messaging or social media that conceals the user's active presence from others.
ExampleI stayed invisible on the chat app so I could finish my work without being interrupted.
ExampleBy setting her status to invisible, she was able to monitor the group discussion without being prompted to participate.
From Middle English invisible, from Old French invisible, from Late Latin invīsibilis. Displaced native Old English unġesewenlīċ. Morphologically in- + visible.