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
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.
Adjective
The Northern Lights may have been visible across regions of the world in 2024 that are not used to seeing aurora, but despite solar activity being at a 23-year high there has been no truly extreme solar storm since 664 B.C., according to new research. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 The breathtaking sight will be visible on Thursday and Friday from some parts of the northern U.S. from New York to Idaho, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024 But as a rule of thumb, if the weather is clear, the best aurora is usually visible within an hour or two of midnight, according to NOAA. Eric Lagatta, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Nov. 2024 One major result would be an expansion of U.S. soft power: Americans, and American businesses, would be far more globally visible. Tyler Cowen, Sun Sentinel, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for visible 

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 1 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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