inconspicuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inconspicuous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not immediately noticeable, or blended in with its surroundings. Example sentence: The small, inconspicuous sign was easy to overlook.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cahill's great talent, if anything, has been to make himself inconspicuous; it's been a non-telegraphed talent in the truest sense of the word.

The Guardian - Sport

What was most stunning about these events – at least for those who did not know Tunisia – was that they had been set in motion in a country the west saw as a moderate, stable and apparently inconspicuous player in the politics of the region.

The Guardian

True, he had undergone plastic surgery and hair transplants, but his lifestyle was hardly inconspicuous.

The Economist

Perhaps being gaudy in a part of the spectrum that mammals cannot see enables male birds to show off to females while remaining inconspicuous to mammalian predators.

The Economist

Seize did not seem to find anything counterintuitive in teaching paying customers how to grasp this expressive, rule-flouting freedom for themselves.In the weeks leading up to Christmas, an inconspicuous pop-up shop filled with street art was open for business on Berwick Street in London's Soho.

The Economist

A little advice on how to stay inconspicuous in Tajikistan may just save you the experience of testing the generosity of your employer when it took out that K&R policy on your head.Ben Edwards is American business editor for The Economist in New York.

The Economist

He is already a member of the House of Representatives, albeit an inconspicuous member, while boxing takes priority.

The Economist

Japan's inconspicuous consumption Still divided Trouble on land and sea Home economics It's different in Texas All about the Acehnese ReprintsMalaysia does not recognise the Acehnese as political refugees, but would, it seems, be happy for them to go to a country other than Indonesia, if one could be found to take them.

The Economist

As long as the registration service was free and the Internet inconspicuous, no one cared about the monopoly.

The Economist

Instead, the first allegations emerged from an inconspicuous anti-poverty agency based in a townhouse next to the presidential office.

The Economist

Despite his wealth he led an inconspicuous lifestyle, following his family's motto of "To be, not to be seen".In contrast, Industrivarden, a rival Swedish conglomerate, flew into trouble over claims of excessive use of private jets at one of its companies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing designs or features that aim for subtlety, "inconspicuous" can effectively convey their understated nature and lack of obtrusiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "inconspicuous" when "invisible" is more accurate. "Inconspicuous" means not easily noticeable, not completely unseen.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "inconspicuous" primarily functions to describe something that is not easily noticeable or prominent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It modifies nouns to indicate a lack of visibility or a tendency to blend in with the surroundings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inconspicuous" is a versatile adjective used to describe something not easily noticeable. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. The related phrases, like "unobtrusive" and "low profile", offer alternative ways to express a similar idea, each with its own slight nuance. Remember, "inconspicuous" suggests not easily noticed, not completely invisible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unobtrusive

Emphasizes not being blatant or interfering.

unnoticeable

Highlights the quality of not being easily seen or detected.

low-profile

Focuses on avoiding publicity or high visibility.

camouflaged

Suggests blending in with the surroundings to avoid detection.

understated

Implies a deliberate lack of showiness or emphasis.

muted

Refers to a reduced level of intensity or visibility.

hidden

Indicates being concealed or out of sight.

subtle

Highlights a delicate or indirect quality that is not immediately obvious.

imperceptible

Stresses the quality of being nearly impossible to perceive.

faded

Suggests a loss of prominence or visibility over time.

FAQs

How can I use "inconspicuous" in a sentence?

You can use "inconspicuous" to describe something that is not easily noticeable or that blends in well with its surroundings. For instance, "The security guard tried to remain "unobtrusive"".

What's the difference between "inconspicuous" and "invisible"?

"Inconspicuous" means not easily noticeable, while "invisible" means impossible to see. Something that is "camouflaged" might be "inconspicuous", but not "undetectable".

What are some synonyms for "inconspicuous"?

Synonyms for "inconspicuous" include "unobtrusive", "unnoticeable", "subtle", and "low profile". Each carries a slightly different nuance, but all refer to not drawing attention.

Is "inconspicuous" a formal word?

"Inconspicuous" is a versatile word suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the sentence structure than the word itself.