visibly
gb/vˈɪzɪbli/ us/vˈɪzɪbli/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
in a way you can see
In a way that people can see.
Usage pattern:
[something] is visibly [adjective] / [something] moves visibly
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse adverb visibly with the adjective visible; also avoid the misspelling *visiblely.
Synonyms
clearly (More general; not always about sight.)
|
plainly (Often suggests it should be obvious to anyone.)
Antonyms
invisibly (Not able to be seen.)
|
imperceptibly (So slight it cannot be noticed.)
Collocations
visibly damaged
|visibly dirty
|visibly worn
|visibly cracked
|visibly shaking
|visibly trembling
|visibly leaking
|visibly moving
|visibly stained
|visibly thinner
Themes
perception
|daily_life
Examples
- The wall was visibly damp after the storm.
- The old sign had been visibly repaired in several places.
- The needle moved visibly as the pressure changed.
Learner examples
- The glass is visibly cracked.
- Her hands were visibly shaking.
adverb
B2
property
2
in a noticeable, obvious way
In a way that is easy to notice.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is visibly [emotion/adjective]
Common mistake:
Visibly often describes something shown on the outside (face, body, voice). For purely mental states, English often prefers clearly or obviously.
Synonyms
noticeably (Focuses on being easy to notice, without the visual emphasis.)
|
obviously (Stronger; suggests it is clear to everyone.)
Antonyms
calmly (Describes an absence of visible emotion or reaction in this context.)
|
unemotionally (Suggests feelings are not shown outwardly.)
Collocations
visibly upset
|visibly angry
|visibly nervous
|visibly relieved
|visibly shocked
|visibly shaken
|visibly uncomfortable
|visibly annoyed
|visibly excited
|visibly distressed
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
Examples
- He was visibly upset when he heard the news.
- She became visibly nervous as the interview began.
- The crowd was visibly relieved when the announcement was made.
Learner examples
- He was visibly angry.
- She looked visibly tired.
Grammar
Dictionary form
visibly
IPA
GB/vˈɪzɪbli/
US/vˈɪzɪbli/
Syllables & stress
vis - ibly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (vis)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: visibly
- Plural: visiblies
Expressions
visibly pregnant
1/vˈɪzɪbli pɹˈɛɡnənt/
fixed phrase
obviously pregnant in appearance
Easy to see that someone is pregnant.
Examples
- By the time of the wedding, she was visibly pregnant.
- She was visibly pregnant when she returned to work.
- The actor was visibly pregnant during the final season.
visibly so
1/vˈɪzɪbli sˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
formal
clearly true in appearance
Used to say something is clearly shown.
Examples
- He was nervous, visibly so, as he walked onto the stage.
- The building had been neglected—visibly so—from the street.
- She was exhausted, and visibly so after the long trip.
visibly upset
1/vˈɪzɪbli ʌpsˈɛt/
fixed phrase
clearly showing distress
Other people can see that someone is upset.
Examples
- He was visibly upset about the decision.
- She was visibly upset by the comment and left the room.
- The child was visibly upset when his toy broke.