vis·i·ble
ˈvi-zə-bəl 
1
a
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
b
: situated in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum perceptible to human vision
visible light
—used of radiation having a wavelength between about 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers
2
a
: exposed to view
the visible horizon
b(1)
: conspicuous
has played a highly visible role in the negotiations
(2)
: well-known
a highly visible politician
3
: capable of being discovered or perceived : recognizable
no visible means of support
4
: accessible sense 2
visible resources
5
: devised to keep a particular part or item always in full view or readily seen or referred to
a visible index
visibleness
noun
plural visibles
: a visible person or thing : someone or something that can be seen or perceived
He achieved important results in both these endeavors, which, being visible, have received ample notice as the visibles of history usually do …—
Barbara W. Tuchman
Barbara W. TuchmanExamples of visible in a Sentence
Adjective
The ship was not visible through the fog.
The ship was barely visible.
The patient showed no visible symptoms.
There was a visible change in his mood.
They played a highly visible role in the negotiations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
Mercury is expected to join the other planets in being visible to the unaided eye by Friday, Feb. 28.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Visibility priority: Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights.
—Bay Area Weather Report, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
At the end of February, all the planets will be close enough to Earth to be visible with the naked eye.
—Darryl Seligman, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for visible
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Adjective
Living on a ramshackle riverfront house all but sinking into the blue, Liang lives a mostly solitary existence, keeping a joyless job at a waste-management center with only one other visible employee, Hao (Chin Yu-pan).
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
Mercury is expected to join the other planets in being visible to the unaided eye by Friday, Feb. 28.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Visibility priority: Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights.
—Bay Area Weather Report, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
At the end of February, all the planets will be close enough to Earth to be visible with the naked eye.
—Darryl Seligman, Space.com, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for visible
Cite this Entry
“Visible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visible. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
visible
adjective
vis·i·ble
ˈviz-ə-bəl
1
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
2
: easily seen or understood : obvious
no visible means of support
Medical Definition
visible
adjective
vis·i·ble
ˈviz-ə-bəl
1
: capable of being seen : perceptible to vision
particulates visible to the naked eye
2
: situated in the visible spectrum
visible light
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