less visible than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less visible than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the visibility of two or more subjects, indicating that one is not as easily seen as the other. Example: "The new design is less visible than the previous version, making it harder for users to notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But that is far less visible than a new tower.

The New York Times

The protagonists' inner lives are hardly more (or less) visible than those of animals.

The New York Times - Books

A lot of people less visible than Julia Roberts are trying to make a living".

The New York Times - Arts

Mercer's challenge, and achievement, was admittedly less visible than the Facebook founder's.

The New Yorker

Colombia's desplazados, as they are called, are less visible than those of Africa.

The Economist

Mr. Brown and Mr. Spies have run campaigns that have been somewhat less visible than the other six.

The New York Times

In Baghdad, the Americans are far less visible than they once were, and are planning further pullbacks.

The New York Times

But despite his high-level links, IMR's private status has meant the company has been far less visible than ENRC.

The Guardian - Business

It also repudiates the idea that dealers should be invisible, or less visible than artists and collectors.

The New York Times - Arts

In the run-up to the inauguration, Mr Medvedev has been far less visible than Mr Putin.

The Economist

For example, making guns for a fighter jet assembled elsewhere is less visible than selling a German-made tank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase works effectively for both physical objects (e.g. towers, signs) and abstract concepts (e.g. influence, symptoms, achievement)

Common error

While "less visible than" is correct for qualities, do not confuse it with comparisons of quantity. For example, use "fewer visible points" if you are referring to a countable number of items rather than a degree of visibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less visible than" acts as a comparative adjective construction. It uses the adverb "less" to modify the adjective "visible", followed by the conjunction "than" to introduce the second element of the comparison. According to Ludwig AI data, it is a structurally sound way to indicate a lower degree of clarity or presence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Informal Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "less visible than" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct comparative phrase. Ludwig AI identifies it as a staple in high-quality English prose, particularly when contrasting levels of public profile, physical appearance or scientific phenomena. Whether you are describing a subtle shift in policy or the physical properties of a material, this phrase provides a clear and authoritative way to communicate relative differences. Its frequent appearance in journals and prestigious newspapers confirms its status as a reliable choice for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as noticeable as

Focuses on the observer's attention rather than the physical property of visibility

less apparent than

Suggests something is less obvious or clear to the understanding

harder to see than

More informal and physically descriptive

more obscure than

Implies a higher degree of being hidden or unknown

more inconspicuous than

Suggests a deliberate or inherent quality of not attracting attention

less prominent than

Indicates a lack of standing out or importance compared to something else

more subtle than

Implies the difference is delicate or precise rather than just hard to see

less manifest than

A more formal alternative meaning less clearly revealed

more concealed than

Suggests being hidden from view or kept secret

less discernable than

Refers to the ability to recognize or distinguish the subject

FAQs

How do I use "less visible than" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare the observability of two subjects. For example: "The internal changes were "less visible than" the external renovations."

What can I say instead of "less visible than"?

Depending on the context, you might use "not as noticeable as", "more obscure than" or "less apparent than".

Which is correct: "less visible than" or "more invisible than"?

While both can be understood, "less visible than" is more standard and common. "More invisible" is often considered a logical paradox since invisibility is usually seen as an absolute state.

Is "less visible than" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, "less visible than" is perfectly acceptable in formal and scientific contexts. It is frequently found in peer-reviewed journals to describe data trends or experimental observations.