vis·i·ble
ˈvi-zə-bəl 
1
a
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
b
: situated in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum perceptible to human vision
visible light
—used of radiation having a wavelength between about 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers
2
a
: exposed to view
the visible horizon
b(1)
: conspicuous
has played a highly visible role in the negotiations
(2)
: well-known
a highly visible politician
3
: capable of being discovered or perceived : recognizable
no visible means of support
4
: accessible sense 2
visible resources
5
: devised to keep a particular part or item always in full view or readily seen or referred to
a visible index
visibleness
noun
plural visibles
: a visible person or thing : someone or something that can be seen or perceived
He achieved important results in both these endeavors, which, being visible, have received ample notice as the visibles of history usually do …—
Barbara W. Tuchman
Barbara W. TuchmanSynonyms
Examples of visible in a Sentence
Adjective
The ship was not visible through the fog.
The ship was barely visible.
The patient showed no visible symptoms.
There was a visible change in his mood.
They played a highly visible role in the negotiations.
Recent Examples on the WebStephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2024
Illustration by the Simons Observatory The telescopes gather microwaves — wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 3 June 2024
Maybe because the plaza is perched above street level and not visible from all four sides.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2024
The screw holes visible above and below the fans in the picture following are for adding the extra standoffs of 13-inch-deep motherboards; keeping the fans excludes mounting a true extra-large board.
—PCMAG, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for visible 
Adjective
June 5: Moon near Pleiades, Jupiter, and Mercury The eastern horizon planet party will continue raging in the early morning through much of this month, but June 5 will be extra special for fans of Pleiades, a bright and naked-eye visible star cluster.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2024
Illustration by the Simons Observatory The telescopes gather microwaves — wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 3 June 2024
Maybe because the plaza is perched above street level and not visible from all four sides.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2024
The screw holes visible above and below the fans in the picture following are for adding the extra standoffs of 13-inch-deep motherboards; keeping the fans excludes mounting a true extra-large board.
—PCMAG, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for visible
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'visible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near visible
Cite this Entry
“Visible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visible. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
visible
adjective
vis·i·ble
ˈviz-ə-bəl
1
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
2
: easily seen or understood : obvious
no visible means of support
Medical Definition
visible
adjective
vis·i·ble
ˈviz-ə-bəl
1
: capable of being seen : perceptible to vision
particulates visible to the naked eye
2
: situated in the visible spectrum
visible light
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share