Definition

1. 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

1. without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
   • blatant disregard of the law
   • a blatant appeal to vanity
   • a blazing indiscretion
2. obvious to the eye or mind
   • a tower conspicuous at a great distance
   • wore conspicuous neckties
   • made herself conspicuous by her exhibitionistic preening