conspicuous meaning and examples

2025-09-05

Meaning

Conspicuous means easily seen, noticed, or attracting attention, often because something is unusual, obvious, or stands out in a particular context.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Adjective

  • Common patterns:

    • conspicuous by (its/their) absence → noticeably missing
    • look conspicuous → appear obvious or attention-grabbing

  • Often used with nouns like sign, success, role, effort, difference, place.

Common Phrases

  • conspicuous consumption → spending money in a way that is meant to show off wealth.
  • conspicuous by one’s absence → noticeable because someone/something is not there.

Collocations

  • conspicuous success/failure
  • conspicuous role/position
  • conspicuous sign/mark
  • make someone conspicuous
  • conspicuous effort/attempt

Examples

  1. She wore a bright red coat that made her conspicuous in the crowd.
  2. His conspicuous success brought him both admiration and envy.
  3. The company’s new building stands in a conspicuous position on the main street.
  4. He was conspicuous by his absence at the important meeting.
  5. The stain on his shirt was so conspicuous that everyone noticed it.
  6. Their conspicuous consumption during the party offended many guests.
  7. The bird’s bright feathers are conspicuous against the dark forest background.
  8. She made a conspicuous effort to be polite, though she was clearly upset.
  • noticeable
  • obvious
  • prominent
  • striking
  • eye-catching
  • remarkable