Meaning & Definition of word "Inconspicuous"

Inconspicuous

/ˌɪnkənˈspɪkjʊəs/

adjective:

  • 1. Not easily seen or noticed; hidden or not prominent.
    • Example: The inconspicuous door blended seamlessly into the wall.
  • 2. Attracting little or no attention; unobtrusive.
    • Example: She wore an inconspicuous outfit that didn’t draw any eyes at the party.
  • 3. Not striking or noticeable; subdued.
    • Example: The inconspicuous design of the gadget made it popular among minimalists.
  • 4. Having no special significance; ordinary.
    • Example: 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 of inconspicuous

Meaning: Under the radar

Example Sentence: He prefers to operate under the radar to avoid unnecessary attention.

Meaning: Ninja-like

Example Sentence: She moved through the crowd in a ninja-like manner, completely inconspicuous.