visible

1 of 2

adjective

vis·​i·​ble ˈvi-zə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
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
visibly adverb

visible

2 of 2

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

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 Web
Adjective
The last total eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806, and the next one won't occur until 2099. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024 Following the penumbral eclipse, the next lunar eclipse will be a partial one on Sept. 18, 2024, which will be visible in the Americas, Europe and Africa. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2024 To counter that bump, Democrats are deploying a two-pronged approach that’s already visible in Biden’s campaign. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Weather permitting, the eclipse will be visible throughout most of North and South America, NASA said. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024 Until 2014, homelessness had been less visible on the street: services for the poor and people with addiction had been offshored to an island in Boston Harbor, not unlike a social-services version of Rikers Island. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 The last total solar eclipse visible from the United States until 2044 will grace the skies on Monday, April 8. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 Photo : Barrett-Jackson Stopping power is courtesy of Wilwood disc brakes, visible through the wide polished spokes of Schott wheels wrapped with custom red-line tires. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 No Israeli soldiers, aircraft or other military equipment are visible in the footage taken that day — which The Post is publishing in its entirety — raising critical questions about why the journalists were targeted. Hazem Balousha, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024

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.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin visibilis, from visus, past participle of vidēre to see

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of visible was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near visible

Cite this Entry

“Visible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visible. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

visible

adjective
vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
1
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
2
: easily seen or understood : obvious
no visible means of support
visibly adverb

Medical Definition

visible

adjective
vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
1
: capable of being seen : perceptible to vision
particulates visible to the naked eye
2
: situated in the visible spectrum
visible light

More from Merriam-Webster on visible

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