slightly visible

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly visible" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is not fully visible, but can be seen with some effort. For example, "The stars were only slightly visible through the haze of the night sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

As shown in the picture of the system (Fig. 1b), all the device's components are transparent, with slightly visible spiral antenna (inset).

Nature

The trap entrance (te) faces left, and the trigger hairs which protrude from the trapdoor are slightly visible (see Fig. 4 for a SEM image).

Nature

At the beginning, the curtain is up, and in the half-darkness a bright-white stage floor seems to glow, with slightly visible jagged lines running along it.

The New Yorker

In the low-mystery condition, although the two edges of the house were concealed, the middle parts of the edges were slightly visible from between the leaves.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

When I am furiously enraged, I, too, allow one tiny vein in my forehead to be ever so slightly visible, or, on rare occasions, I butter a scone with vigor.

The New Yorker

All the components of the device are transparent, with slightly visible spiral antenna, and conformably wrap the curved surface of the contact lens (radius of curvature ∼1.4 cm, thickness ∼85 μm).

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Slightly less visible is the economic catastrophe.

The New Yorker

As each of these sectors has evolved, the previous one has become slightly less visible.

The Guardian

In the Asian version, the violence will be slightly more visible, more exaggerated.

The New Yorker

Even if the superhero remains a typically white male figure, women and ethnic minorities are slightly more visible presences these days.

The Guardian - Books

This damage is mentioned rather than shown, and the repair work is highly theoretical, since children in Stepford are only slightly more visible than black people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly visible" to describe something that is present but not immediately obvious or easily seen. It's ideal when precision in describing the degree of visibility is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly visible" when you need to emphasize something is clearly or easily seen. Opt for phrases like "clearly visible" or "easily seen" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly visible" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its degree of visibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable usage, fitting seamlessly into sentences to provide nuanced detail about visual perception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly visible" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjectival phrase for describing something that is perceptible but not readily apparent. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it fits seamlessly in diverse contexts, including science, news, and general writing. Given its widespread use and neutral register, mastering its appropriate application can enhance the precision of your descriptive writing. To add nuance, consider using related phrases like "barely perceptible" or "faintly discernible". Remember to avoid using it when describing objects that are clearly or easily seen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely perceptible

Indicates an even fainter degree of visibility.

faintly discernible

Highlights the difficulty in distinguishing the object.

dimly apparent

Emphasizes the subdued nature of the visibility.

just noticeable

Focuses on the threshold of visibility.

hardly detectable

Conveys the challenge in noticing the object.

partially exposed

Suggests a portion of something is visible while the rest is covered.

subtly revealed

Implies that the visibility is delicate and not immediately obvious.

indistinctly seen

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the viewing.

vaguely observable

Indicates uncertainty in the observation.

almost imperceptible

Emphasizes that the visibility is on the verge of being undetectable.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly visible" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly visible" to describe something that can be seen with some effort but is not completely obvious. For example, "The outline of the mountains was "slightly visible" through the fog."

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly visible"?

Alternatives include "barely perceptible", "faintly discernible", or "dimly apparent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "slightly visible" formal or informal?

"Slightly visible" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a neutral descriptive phrase that does not carry strong connotations of either formality or informality.

When should I use "slightly visible" versus "clearly visible"?

Use "slightly visible" when something is not easily seen and requires some effort to notice. Use "clearly visible" when something is easily and obviously seen. The key difference is the degree of effort required to perceive the object.