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Invisible: meaning, definitions and examples

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invisible

 

[ɪnˈvɪzəb(ə)l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

being unable to be seen

Not able to be seen; not visible to the eye. Something that is invisible cannot be seen, either because it is hidden or because it is not possible to see it.

Synonyms

camouflaged, concealed, hidden, unnoticeable, unseen.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
invisible

Used when something cannot be seen at all, often because it is not physically there or is beyond the perception of the naked eye.

  • The magician made the rabbit invisible
  • Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye
unseen

Used to describe something that is not visible often because it is obstructed or simply not in the direct line of sight.

  • The shark swam unseen beneath the waves
  • The kitten was unseen until it meowed
hidden

Used in a general sense where something is out of sight or not easily found.

  • The treasure was hidden under the old oak tree
  • She hid the letter in a drawer
concealed

Used when something is intentionally hidden from view or covered up.

  • The knife was concealed in his jacket
  • She concealed her true feelings
camouflaged

Used when something is designed to blend into its surroundings, usually for the purpose of hiding or not being noticed.

  • The soldiers wore camouflaged uniforms to blend into the forest
  • The animal was camouflaged among the leaves
unnoticeable

Used when something blends in so well with its surroundings that it is difficult to notice or observe.

  • The scar on her face was barely unnoticeable after the surgery
  • He wore unnoticeable makeup to cover the blemishes

Examples of usage

  • The invisible man sneaked into the room without anyone noticing.
  • Air is invisible, but we can feel its presence.
  • Magic tricks often involve making things appear invisible to the audience.
  • She felt like an invisible person in the crowded room.
  • The invisible ink revealed the secret message when heated.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'invisibilis,' which means 'not able to be seen.'
  • The prefix 'in-' means 'not,' while 'visible' comes from the root word 'videre,' which means 'to see.'
  • First recorded use of the word in English dates back to the late 14th century.

Science

  • Many gases, such as oxygen and nitrogen, are invisible to the naked eye, even though they are essential for life.
  • Certain types of light, like ultraviolet and infrared, are invisible to humans but can be detected by special instruments.
  • Some animals, like certain species of octopus, can become nearly invisible by changing their skin color and texture.

Pop Culture

  • Invisible characters have appeared in movies and literature, such as 'The Invisible Man' by H.G. Wells.
  • The idea of invisibility is often explored in superhero comics, with heroes using cloaking abilities to go unnoticed.
  • In contemporary video games, invisibility is a common power allowing players to sneak past enemies.

Psychology

  • The concept of 'invisible disabilities' refers to conditions like chronic pain or mental illness that aren't immediately apparent.
  • Social phenomena can also create feelings of invisibility, where people feel overlooked or ignored in a social setting.
  • Cognitive biases can cause individuals to overlook evidence or details that are present but not immediately visible.

Art

  • Some modern artists use transparency and light to create installations that play with the notion of visibility and invisibility.
  • Invisible ink has been used in art and crafts, revealing messages only under certain types of light.
  • In visual art, themes of invisibility can address topics such as identity, race, and social issues, exploring what is often overlooked.

Translations

Translations of the word "invisible" in other languages:

🇵🇹 invisível

🇮🇳 अदृश्य

🇩🇪 unsichtbar

🇮🇩 tak terlihat

🇺🇦 невидимий

🇵🇱 niewidzialny

🇯🇵 見えない

🇫🇷 invisible

🇪🇸 invisible

🇹🇷 görünmez

🇰🇷 보이지 않는

🇸🇦 غير مرئي

🇨🇿 neviditelný

🇸🇰 neviditeľný

🇨🇳 看不见的

🇸🇮 neviden

🇮🇸 ósýnilegur

🇰🇿 көрінбейтін

🇬🇪 უხილავი

🇦🇿 görünməz

🇲🇽 invisible

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,648 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.