Inconspicuous

/ˌɪnkənˈspɪkjʊəs/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Not easily seen or noticed; hidden or not prominent.
The inconspicuous door blended seamlessly into the wall.
Attracting little or no attention; unobtrusive.
She wore an inconspicuous outfit that didn’t draw any eyes at the party.
Not striking or noticeable; subdued.
The inconspicuous design of the gadget made it popular among minimalists.
Having no special significance; ordinary.
His inconspicuous demeanor made him a perfect spy.

Etymology

From the Latin 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'conspicuus' meaning 'visible'

Common Phrases and Expressions

fly under the radar
To go unnoticed or undetected, often used in contexts where someone avoids attention.
keep a low profile
To avoid attracting attention or notoriety.
blend in
To become similar to the surrounding environment in order to be less noticeable.

Related Words

concealed
Kept out of sight; hidden.
obscure
Not well known or difficult to understand.
subdued
Quiet and restrained; not attracting attention.

Slang Meanings

Under the radar
He prefers to operate under the radar to avoid unnecessary attention.
Ninja-like
She moved through the crowd in a ninja-like manner, completely inconspicuous.