invisibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "invisibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the state of being unseen or not visible, often in contexts related to physical objects, concepts, or metaphorical situations. Example: "The magician's trick created an illusion of invisibility, leaving the audience in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was dealing with ever-worsening arthritis and a generalised feeling of invisibility and voicelessness.

The Guardian - Arts

Invisibility is a central terror of the narcissist, and in our world of hyper-individualism, the competitive pursuit of attention produces winners and losers, those who painfully feel passed over and excluded.

The Guardian

Less concretely, there's an aspect of chauvinism that could be genuinely useful in the world of covert operations: the almost literal invisibility that women seem to acquire once they reach middle age.

The Guardian - Opinion

This invisibility is one of the greatest barriers to the education and healthy lives of disabled girls, as it makes reliable statistics harder to come by.

The Guardian

She was the only photographer I ever wanted to sit in on an interview I was doing, not just because she could recede into invisibility, hands folded in her lap, placid as Miss Marple, or stealthily circle the room, eyes glinting, but also because she disarmed people.

The Guardian - Arts

Wright recounts a story about such invisibility.

The Guardian - Books

One suggestion is that the animals found in eastern America are a coyote-wolf hybrid that hunt more frequently in packs and can take down larger prey.In America's cities the key to the coyote's success is its virtual invisibility, and sightings of the animal during the recent mating season were unusual enough to have been the subject of news reports.

The Economist

With its invisibility cloak, ZeroAccess lets attackers exploit a compromised network for months or even years on end.

The Economist

What emerges in his book on "The Dangerous Allure of the Unseen" is a fascinating compendium of the ways in which both the idea and the reality of invisibility have resonated in human minds over the centuries.

The Economist

When verification is cheap, secure and easy, maintaining invisibility will be trickier.

The Economist

How good that invisibility is a thing of the past.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "invisibility" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether it refers to a literal absence of visibility or a metaphorical state of being ignored or overlooked.

Common error

Avoid using "invisibility" in contexts where the meaning could be ambiguous. Clearly distinguish between physical unseen state and metaphorical "invisibility", such as social or political irrelevance, to prevent misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "invisibility" is that of a noun. It refers to the state or quality of being invisible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "invisibility" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state of being unseen or unnoticed. As Ludwig AI highlights, the term is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from scientific discussions and news reports to philosophical analyses and everyday conversations. While often used literally, it frequently appears metaphorically to describe situations where something is overlooked or ignored. The frequency of "invisibility" in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its significance and proper usage in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

state of being unseen

Focuses on the condition of not being visible, similar to "invisibility" but emphasizes the state.

lack of visibility

Highlights the absence of the ability to be seen, differing slightly from the inherent quality of "invisibility".

state of imperceptibility

Emphasizes the inability to be perceived, which can extend beyond sight to other senses, making it a broader term than "invisibility".

undetectability

Focuses on the inability to be detected, which can be due to various reasons beyond just not being seen, such as technological means.

unnoticeability

Highlights the quality of not attracting attention or notice, differing from "invisibility" which is strictly about sight.

hidden nature

Emphasizes the concealed or disguised aspect, which can lead to "invisibility" but is not always the same.

covert existence

Stresses the secret or concealed manner of existence, implying a deliberate effort to remain unseen or unknown.

obscurity

Focuses on the state of being unclear or vague, which can result in "invisibility" in certain contexts.

seclusion

Highlights the act of being separated or isolated, which can lead to not being seen or noticed.

elusiveness

Emphasizes the difficulty in catching or finding something, which can be related to "invisibility" but is more about the challenge of detection.

FAQs

How can I use "invisibility" in a sentence?

"Invisibility" can be used to describe a literal absence of visibility (e.g., "The magic cloak granted him invisibility") or a metaphorical state of being ignored or overlooked (e.g., "The issue suffered from invisibility in the political debate").

What are some synonyms for "invisibility"?

Alternatives to "invisibility" include "lack of visibility", "state of being unseen", and "undetectability", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "invisibility" to describe a social issue?

Yes, "invisibility" is often used metaphorically to describe situations where a social issue or group is overlooked, ignored, or lacks representation. For example, one might speak of the "invisibility" of certain minorities in mainstream media.

What is the difference between "invisibility" and "obscurity"?

"Invisibility" typically refers to the state of not being seen, while "obscurity" refers to the state of being unclear, vague, or not well-known. While something invisible is literally unseen, something obscure might be seen but not easily understood.