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noticeable
/ˈnoʊtɪsəbəl/
easy to see or notice
There was a noticeable improvement in her grades after she started studying more.
The change was clear and obvious to everyone.
neutral
easy to see or notice; clearly visible or perceptible
The stain on the white shirt was very noticeable.
The stain stood out clearly against the white fabric.
There's been a noticeable increase in traffic on this road.
The rise in traffic volume is obvious and measurable.
Used to describe something that attracts attention or is easily observed, often implying a positive or neutral connotation.
Collocations
noticeable differencea clear change that can be seen or feltnoticeable improvementa significant positive changenoticeably differentclearly not the same as something elsebecome noticeableto start being easily seen or observed
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: Confusing 'noticeable' with 'notable'
'Noticeable' emphasizes visibility or perceptibility, while 'notable' emphasizes importance or worth mentioning. A stain might be noticeable but not notable; a historic event is notable but might not be immediately noticeable.
Gold Rule
When to use 'noticeable'
Use 'noticeable' when something is easily seen, heard, or felt due to contrast with its surroundings. It works for physical traits, changes over time, or differences between things.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'noticable', from Old French 'noticiable' (worthy of note), from Latin 'notitia' (knowledge, notice), from 'notus' (known). The suffix '-able' indicates capability or worthiness.
Usage Notes
The word implies that something stands out from its surroundings or is easily perceived. It doesn't necessarily mean 'large' or 'extreme'—even small changes can be noticeable if they contrast sharply with what's expected. Often used in positive contexts but can be neutral.
Word Breakdown
notice
to observe or pay attention to
root-able
capable of being
suffixEnglish Dictionary