Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Capable of being seen; perceptible by the eye: Describes something that can be seen, either because it is in plain sight or because it is not hidden or obscured.
   • Obvious to the eye or mind; apparent: Describes something that is clear, evident, or noticeable.
   • Present and available; on hand: Describes something that is readily accessible or in a state of being prepared for use.

Usage Examples

• Capable of being seen:
  • The stars are clearly visible on a cloudless night.
  • The mountains became visible as the fog lifted.
• Obvious or apparent:
  • There was a visible improvement in her health after the treatment.
  • His disappointment was visible on his face.
• Present and available:
  • The manager ensured all necessary tools were visible for the team. (Here, 'visible' implies readily accessible or on hand.)

Advanced Usage

• "Visible to the naked eye": Able to be seen without the aid of instruments like microscopes or telescopes.
  • Some planets are visible to the naked eye.
• "Become visible": To appear or come into sight.
  • The ship became visible on the horizon.
• "Highly visible": Very noticeable or prominent.
  • The campaign used highly visible posters.

Variants and Related Words

• Visibility (noun): The state of being able to see or be seen.
  • Poor visibility due to fog caused flight delays.
• Visibly (adverb): In a way that can be seen; noticeably.
  • She was visibly upset by the news.

Synonyms

• Perceptible: Able to be seen or noticed.
• Apparent: Clearly visible or understood; obvious.
• Evident: Plain or obvious; clearly seen or understood.
• Noticeable: Easily seen or noticed; clear.

Antonyms

• Invisible: Unable to be seen.
• Hidden: Kept out of sight; concealed.
• Obscured: Kept from being seen; hidden.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Visible means of support: Obvious or identifiable sources of income or resources.
  • The applicant lacked any visible means of support.
• Visible spectrum: The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye.
  • Light consists of colors within the visible spectrum.

Adjective

1. present and easily available
   • the cash on hand is adequate for current needs
   • emergency police were on hand in case of trouble
   • a visible supply
   • visible resources
2. obvious to the eye
   • a visible change of expression
3. capable of being seen; or open to easy view
   • a visible object
   • visible stars
   • mountains visible in the distance
   • a visible change of expression
   • visible files