evident

adjective

ev·​i·​dent ˈe-və-dənt How to pronounce evident (audio)
-və-ˌdent
Synonyms of evidentnext
: clear to the vision or understanding

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for evident

evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent, plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended.

evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

her feelings about him are plain

clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

Examples of evident in a Sentence

She spoke with evident anguish about the death of her son. The problems have been evident for quite some time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On top of the drama, the Kings front office and ownership has assembled a roster that lacks defense on the wings, evident by the struggles to defend the 3-point line, and a true point guard. — Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025 This is very evident in the fourth quarter. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025 How strongly consumers feel that online higher education should cost less than the in-person kind was evident in lawsuits brought against schools that continued to charge full tuition even after going remote during the COVID-19 pandemic. — Jon Marcus, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025 Gender inequality is also evident in the wider space science workforce. — Maria Bolevich, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for evident

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin evident-, evidens, from e- + vident-, videns, present participle of vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of evident was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing evident

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Cite this Entry

“Evident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evident. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

evident

adjective
ev·​i·​dent ˈev-əd-ənt How to pronounce evident (audio)
-ə-ˌdent
: clear to the sight or mind : plain
was evident that they were twins
Etymology

Middle English evident "clearly seen or understood," from early French evident (same meaning), from Latin evident-, evidens (same meaning), from e-, ex- "out, away" and vident-, videns, a form of vidēre "to see" — related to vision

More from Merriam-Webster on evident

Nglish: Translation of evident for Spanish Speakers

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