WordGarden.ioconspicuously
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kənspˈɪkjuːəsli/
US
- /kənˈspɪkjuəsli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a clearly noticeable or attention-getting way
Beyond the definition
If someone dresses in bright orange for a black-tie event, they are acting conspicuously—meaning they are impossible to ignore and they stand out from the crowd. It is about being seen, often intentionally! Think of a peacock displaying its feathers; it is conspicuously showing off to attract attention. Sometimes things are conspicuous because they feel out of place, like a bright red stain that sits conspicuously on a white shirt. The word describes anything that draws the eye, whether the attention is desired or not.
To do something conspicuously is to act in a way that immediately attracts attention; it is the opposite of being subtle or blending in. It implies a display that is so clear it cannot be missed. For instance, a brightly colored car parked among neutral-toned vehicles stands out conspicuously, as does someone talking loudly on their phone in a quiet library.
The key isn't just being seen, but being noticed because you differ significantly from your surroundings. A particularly common use of the word is when something is "conspicuously absent"—meaning its lack is so glaring that the absence itself becomes the focus. For example: "The security guard was conspicuously absent from his post," or, "She was conspicuously silent after the argument."
While acting conspicuously can sometimes be positive (like a hero standing up bravely for a cause), it often carries a slightly negative connotation. It can suggest that someone is being "showy" or that something is disruptively out of place. A flashy display of wealth, for instance, might be described as being conspicuously extravagant.
Think of it like this: if you want to blend into a crowd, you avoid acting conspicuously. If you want to be the center of attention, you embrace it! So, whether it is a bold fashion choice, a glaring omission, or a deliberate show of force, "conspicuously" describes anything that demands to be noticed.
Examples
- 1
Clothing
She wore a conspicuously large hat at the wedding.
- 2
Safety signs
The emergency exit was marked conspicuously in red.
- 3
Architecture
Unlike the older houses on the street, the new one looked conspicuously modern.
- 4
Digital messages
His name was conspicuously missing from the email.
- Phraseconspicuously missing
easy to notice because it should be there but is not
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Team photo
Several key players were conspicuously absent from the team photo.
- Phraseconspicuously absent
noticeably not there
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- conspicuously absent
- conspicuously displayed
- conspicuously placed
Word family
- conspicuous
- conspicuousness
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- conspicuouslyadverb