nearly invisible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly invisible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost not visible or very difficult to see. Example: "The spider was so small that it was nearly invisible against the background of the wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lesbians were nearly invisible.

The New York Times

Amar'e Stoudemire was nearly invisible.

The New York Times - Sports

(Basketball was nearly invisible on TV here).

The New York Times - Sports

As a worker, he was nearly invisible.

Princeton University

To us the Irish were nearly invisible.

The New York Times - Arts

Their faces remain nearly invisible to lawmakers.

The Guardian - Money

Through sheer omnipresence they've become nearly invisible.

The New York Times - Arts

Those are nearly invisible under the ordinary (axial) illumination.

Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods

A glass wall onto the garden is nearly invisible.

The New York Times

Under the nearly invisible chiffon the sequins seemed to vibrate.

The New York Times

It's nearly invisible unless you know what to look for.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts, using "nearly invisible" can be a powerful way to illustrate subtle but impactful influences.

Common error

While "nearly invisible" can be effective in abstract contexts, avoid overuse. Over-reliance can dilute the impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "subtle" or "unobtrusive" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly invisible" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun's quality of being almost impossible to see. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts, such as describing physical objects or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly invisible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival modifier that describes something extremely difficult to see. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears in a variety of contexts from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using "nearly invisible", be specific about the reasons for its near invisibility. Alternatives such as "almost imperceptible" or "barely visible" can offer nuanced variations. Be aware of potential overuse in abstract contexts to maintain writing impact. This phrase is versatile and effective for highlighting subtlety or insignificance across many writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost imperceptible

Emphasizes the difficulty in perceiving something, suggesting it's just beyond the threshold of detection.

barely visible

Highlights the minimal visibility of something.

faintly discernible

Indicates that something can be detected, but only with effort.

scarcely detectable

Focuses on the difficulty of detecting something through any means.

virtually unseen

Stresses the near absence of visual perception.

hardly noticeable

Highlights that something is difficult to notice.

blurred from view

Suggests that something is not clearly visible, maybe due to an external factor.

hidden from sight

Suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal something or maybe a casual positioning makes it unseen.

out of view

Highlights a more neutral situation, like something positioned to not be watched.

camouflaged

Specifically refers to something that has been deliberately disguised to blend in with its surroundings.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly invisible" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly invisible" to describe something that is almost impossible to see due to its size, color, or transparency. For example, "The spider was so small that it was "nearly invisible" against the wall".

What can I say instead of "nearly invisible"?

You can use alternatives like "almost imperceptible", "barely visible", or "faintly discernible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "nearly invisible" or "almost invisible"?

Both ""nearly invisible"" and "almost invisible" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and stylistic context.

What's the difference between "nearly invisible" and "partially invisible"?

"Nearly invisible" means something is very difficult to see, while "partially invisible" means only a portion of something is not visible.