inconspicuous

/,inkən'spikjuəs/

Thân thiện

He placed the small key in an inconspicuous spot under the flowerpot.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Not easily seen or noticed; not attracting attention: Describes something or someone that does not stand out or is not readily observable in a given environment.
   • Not conspicuous; unobtrusive: Refers to being deliberately or naturally subtle and not drawing notice.

Usage and Examples

• General Use:
  • She wore an inconspicuous grey dress to blend in with the crowd.
  • The security camera was placed in an inconspicuous corner of the room.
• Describing Behavior:
  • He tried to be inconspicuous by sitting quietly at the back of the lecture hall.
• Describing Features:
  • The house's entrance was small and inconspicuous, easy to miss.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Inconspicuous consumption": A play on the term "conspicuous consumption," referring to the discreet purchase and use of luxury goods to avoid drawing attention to one's wealth.
  • Their lifestyle was one of inconspicuous consumption, favoring quality over flashy brands.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms:
  • More inconspicuous: The new design is even more inconspicuous than the last one.
  • Most inconspicuous: This is the most inconspicuous spot for our meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Inconspicuously (adverb): In a manner that is not easily seen or noticed.
  • He slipped inconspicuously out of the party.
• Inconspicuousness (noun): The quality or state of being inconspicuous.
  • The insect's survival depends on its inconspicuousness.

Synonyms

• Unobtrusive: Not conspicuous or attracting attention.
• Unnoticeable: Not easily observed or noticed.
• Camouflaged: Disguised or hidden to blend with surroundings.
• Low-key: Not elaborate, showy, or intensive; restrained.

Antonyms

• Conspicuous: Clearly visible; attracting notice or attention.
• Prominent: Standing out so as to be easily seen; particularly noticeable.
• Obvious: Easily perceived or understood; clear.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To keep a low profile": To behave in a way that does not attract attention (conceptually related to being inconspicuous).
  • After the scandal, the celebrity kept a low profile for months.
• "To blend into the background": To be or become inconspicuous.
  • As a bodyguard, his job was to blend into the background.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. not prominent or readily noticeable
   • he pushed the string through an inconspicuous hole
   • the invisible man

Từ đồng nghĩa

• invisible