visible

1 of 2

adjective

vis·​i·​ble ˈvi-zə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
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
visibly adverb

visible

2 of 2

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

Examples 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
By midweek, the push was already visible on multiple fronts. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025 While the specs on this unit list knots as pre-bleached—the tiny dots attaching each strand to the lace, designed to mimic a natural scalp—they’re actually still pretty dark and visible. Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025 In a July 29 post to the social media platform, Minniear included snaps of himself and some picturesque locations, as well as a shot of Goulding laying nude in bed with her arm, side and thigh visible but face mostly obstructed. Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025 Recognizable Sacramento locations, such as the Tower Bridge, the Railyards and a county building downtown, are visible in trailers for the film. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for visible

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin visibilis, from visus, past participle of vidēre to see

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of visible was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Visible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visible. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

visible

adjective
vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
1
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
2
: easily seen or understood : obvious
no visible means of support
visibly adverb

Medical Definition

visible

adjective
vis·​i·​ble ˈviz-ə-bəl How to pronounce visible (audio)
1
: capable of being seen : perceptible to vision
particulates visible to the naked eye
2
: situated in the visible spectrum
visible light

More from Merriam-Webster on visible

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