conspicuous
/kən'spikjuəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Easily seen or noticed; obvious to the eye or mind: Something that is "conspicuous" is very noticeable, often because it is different, prominent, or stands out from its surroundings.
- Attracting attention, often by being unusual or remarkable: A person or thing that is "conspicuous" draws notice or attention, sometimes intentionally.
Usage
- Use "conspicuous" to describe something that is very visible or obvious.
- It can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
- Common structures: "conspicuous by [something]" (e.g., conspicuous by its absence), "conspicuous for [a quality]".
Examples
- General Use:
- The bright red door was very conspicuous against the white house.
- He felt conspicuous wearing a suit to the casual beach party.
- With Prepositions:
- The error was conspicuous for its simplicity.
- The celebrity tried to avoid being conspicuous in public.
Advanced Usage
- "conspicuous by one's absence": A common idiom meaning that someone's or something's absence is very noticeable and significant.
- The company's CEO was conspicuous by his absence at the annual meeting.
- "conspicuous consumption": A sociological term referring to the lavish spending on goods and services to publicly display economic power.
- The mansion and sports cars were acts of conspicuous consumption.
Variants and Related Words
- Conspicuously (adverb): In a way that is clearly visible or obvious.
- The sign was conspicuously placed at the entrance.
- Conspicuousness (noun): The quality of being conspicuous.
- The conspicuousness of the monument made it a popular landmark.
Synonyms
- Noticeable: Easily seen or noticed.
- Prominent: Important, famous, or sticking out.
- Obvious: Easily perceived or understood; clear.
- Blatant: Done openly and unashamedly; completely obvious (often negative).
Antonyms
- Inconspicuous: Not clearly visible or attracting attention.
- Unobtrusive: Not conspicuous or attracting attention.
Idioms and Phrases
- Make oneself conspicuous: To behave in a way that deliberately draws attention to oneself.
- By arguing loudly, he made himself conspicuous in the quiet library.
Adjective
- without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
- blatant disregard of the law
- a blatant appeal to vanity
- a blazing indiscretion
- obvious to the eye or mind
- a tower conspicuous at a great distance
- wore conspicuous neckties
- made herself conspicuous by her exhibitionistic preening