The word "conspicuous" (kənˈspɪkjʊəs) is commonly misspelled due to its unique pronunciation. It means to be easily noticeable or standing out, and it is often spelled with a "t" instead of the "s" in the second syllable. This may be because the "s" sound is similar to a "z" sound and can be easily mistaken. However, remembering the phonetic transcription (kənˈspɪkjʊəs) can help in spelling the word correctly.
Conspicuous is an adjective that describes something that is easily seen, noticed, or apparent. It refers to anything that attracts attention, stands out, or is clearly visible due to its size, color, shape, or position.
When something is conspicuous, it is easily observed or recognized, often due to being in a prominent or strategic location. For instance, a bright red sign placed on a busy street would be conspicuous, as it would immediately catch the eye of passersby. Similarly, a person wearing vibrant clothing or a flashy accessory would be conspicuous because they would stand out among a group of individuals wearing more subtle attire.
Additionally, a conspicuous event or action is one that draws attention or is noticeable because it is contrary to the norm, unexpected, or unusual. This aspect of conspicuousness also conveys the idea of being conspicuous on purpose, in order to garner attention or make a statement.
Conspicuousness can also refer to qualities or characteristics that are obvious or striking, such as a conspicuous lack of empathy or a conspicuous display of wealth. In these cases, the term implies that the particular quality or characteristic is so obvious that it cannot be ignored or overlooked.
Overall, "conspicuous" is a term used to describe something that stands out, catches the eye, or is readily noticeable due to its prominence, unusualness, or striking features.
Easy to be seen by the eye; obvious to the mind; prominent; eminent; distinguished.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "conspicuous" has its origins in the Latin word "conspicuus", which means "visible" or "obvious". It is derived from the verb "conspicere", meaning "to catch sight of" or "to notice". The Latin term is a combination of the prefix "con-" (meaning "together" or "with") and the verb "spicere" (meaning "to look" or "to see"). Through linguistic evolution, the word "conspicuous" entered the English language in the 16th century and has retained its meaning of something easily seen, noticeable, or remarkable.