conspicuous
adjective
con·spic·u·ous
kən-ˈspi-kyə-wəs 
-kyü-əs
1
: obvious to the eye or mind
conspicuous changes
The bird has a conspicuous red head.
2
: attracting attention : striking
a conspicuous success
His absence was conspicuous.
3
: marked by a noticeable violation of good taste
conspicuously
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of conspicuous in a Sentence
Conspicuous species of large organisms with small populations are vulnerable—and several fishes and marine mammals, including Steller's sea cow, have succumbed.
—
Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History, June 1991
Its most conspicuous feature was knee breeches, which showed off his well-turned legs and feet.
—Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, 1984
There were a number of conspicuous changes to the building.
The sign was placed in a very conspicuous spot.
The bird has a conspicuous red head.
She felt very conspicuous in her pink coat.
He was uncomfortable about his conspicuous weight gain.
The business was a conspicuous success.
Stephen Jay Gould, Natural History, June 1991
Its most conspicuous feature was knee breeches, which showed off his well-turned legs and feet.
—Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, 1984
There were a number of conspicuous changes to the building.
The sign was placed in a very conspicuous spot.
The bird has a conspicuous red head.
She felt very conspicuous in her pink coat.
He was uncomfortable about his conspicuous weight gain.
The business was a conspicuous success.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Beatles, the GOAT of all pop and rock groups, are conspicuous by their absence on the roster of Kennedy Center Honors recipients.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 10 Dec. 2024
The most conspicuous example is the open-air winter sculpture garden at the center of the residence, an intimate, confined courtyard that allows art and nature to coalesce.
—Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2024
Her father, a renowned music educator as well as a composer and conductor, was a conspicuous voice urging fretful Americans not to dismiss the music but to listen to what the songs had to say.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
Its unauthorized, unanticipated, and exponential growth has proceeded apace these many years for several reasons, but conspicuous among them is this one: the failure of the Congress to do its job.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for conspicuous 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Paul Grein, Billboard, 10 Dec. 2024
The most conspicuous example is the open-air winter sculpture garden at the center of the residence, an intimate, confined courtyard that allows art and nature to coalesce.
—Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2024
Her father, a renowned music educator as well as a composer and conductor, was a conspicuous voice urging fretful Americans not to dismiss the music but to listen to what the songs had to say.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Nov. 2024
Its unauthorized, unanticipated, and exponential growth has proceeded apace these many years for several reasons, but conspicuous among them is this one: the failure of the Congress to do its job.
—Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for conspicuous
Dictionary Entries Near conspicuous
Cite this Entry
“Conspicuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conspicuous. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
conspicuous
adjective
con·spic·u·ous
kən-ˈspik-yə-wəs
1
: easily seen
2
: attracting attention : striking
conspicuously
adverb
conspicuousness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share