invisible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "invisible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be seen or is not visible to the eye. Example: "The invisible ink revealed the hidden message when exposed to heat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From the transformation of much loved icons of the community – Middlesbrough FC will soon be powered by wind – to other invisible but no less important changes, such as Bath converting its streetlights to highly efficient LEDs.

The Guardian

Remembrance has been set in stone, but, as Robert Musil once remarked, "there is nothing in the world as invisible as a monument".

The Guardian - Opinion

Changing perceptions Before the challenge, energy was seen as invisible and technical.

The Guardian

Occasionally referred to as being part of the "deep" web, the data accessed through Tor is unindexed by search engines, making it, in a sense, invisible.

The Guardian - Tech

Lieven, who has written about Clinton's hawkishness on foreign policy, said it was unlikely that Clinton, whose grassroots staff is already joining an invisible campaign that could signal an April kickoff, would emerge as more strongly interventionist than she had otherwise presented herself to be.

The Guardian

5.24pm: Rosebell Kagumire in Kampala writes for us: The invisible Children's video Kony2012, its producers said it was an attempt to get the world to become more aware of Kony's war.

The Guardian

Most of the people working for Invisible Children are media professionals not development professionals.

The Guardian

We can see here that the invisible hand is bound, can greedy doctors really be blamed for the spiralling costs?

The Guardian

In a sense that move alone tells you how much in fact the political mainstream even within unionism has changed when it comes to picking on minorities like Northern Ireland's once invisible and put down gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

The Guardian

Related: Out of the blue, on the edge of the world, killer whales converge to feast These and a million other mostly microscopic planktonic species of viruses, microbes, larvae and eukaryotes are the largely invisible origins of life, the very bottom of the food chain and the enablers of all existence.

The Guardian

Many LGBTQI NGO workers choose to remain invisible for fear of being discriminated against or hindering their employment prospects.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "invisible" in technical contexts, clarify what instruments or methods would be necessary to detect the otherwise unseen element.

Common error

Avoid using "invisible" too broadly without sufficient context. Overusing it can weaken your writing. Be specific about what is unseen or unnoticed, providing clear examples or explanations to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "invisible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that cannot be seen or is not readily apparent. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "invisible" functions primarily as an adjective used to describe something that cannot be seen or easily detected. Ludwig AI validates that the word is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in the context of News & Media. While versatile, the user should aim for using it to describe either physical impossibility to see or the lack of obvious visibility for abstract concepts. Related words include "unseen", "undetectable", and "imperceptible", each having nuances that might make them more suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unseen

Focuses on the lack of being seen, emphasizing the state of not being observed.

undetectable

Implies that something cannot be detected, even with instruments or methods.

imperceptible

Highlights the subtlety of something, making it difficult to perceive.

out of sight

Indicates that something is not within the range of vision.

concealed

Emphasizes the act of hiding something from view.

hidden

Suggests something is intentionally or unintentionally not visible.

obscured

Indicates that something is blocked or covered, making it difficult to see.

covert

Emphasizes secrecy and the intention to avoid detection.

unnoticeable

Highlights the lack of attention something receives, whether visible or not.

latent

Suggests something exists but is not yet active or apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "invisible" in a sentence?

You can use "invisible" to describe something that cannot be seen, like "The magician made the coin "invisible"". It can also describe something not easily noticed, such as "Invisible wounds from emotional trauma can take a long time to heal".

What are some synonyms for "invisible"?

Alternatives to "invisible" include "unseen", "undetectable", and "imperceptible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "completely invisible"?

Yes, saying something is "completely invisible" is correct. It emphasizes that the object or concept is entirely impossible to see or detect. Other words to amplify the concept of "invisible" include "utterly unseen" or "entirely undetectable".

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

"Invisible" means something is impossible to see, while "hidden" means something is intentionally concealed but still potentially visible. An "invisible cloak" cannot be seen, but a "hidden treasure" is merely concealed.