high-visibility

/ˌhaɪ vɪzəˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌhaɪ vɪzəˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa)

high-visibility — adjective

1. describes clothing or fabric made in very bright colours, often with reflective

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describes clothing or fabric made in very bright colours, often with reflective strips, so that the person wearing it can be seen easily even in the dark, in fog, or in heavy rain.

例句

All road workers must wear a high-visibility jacket while on site.

collocation: high-visibility jacket

The cyclist put on a high-visibility vest before riding home in the dark.

collocation: high-visibility vest

同義詞
  • fluorescent

    emphasises the material's ability to glow under UV light; narrower scope

  • reflective

    focuses on the ability to bounce back light, often from car headlights

  • bright

    general term; does not imply safety-grade visibility

  • luminous

    suggests the material glows in the dark itself, not just reflects light

反義詞
  • dark

    the opposite of bright; hard to see in low light

  • dull

    not bright or shiny; inconspicuous

用法筆記

Commonly placed before nouns for items of protective clothing (jacket, vest, coat, hat, trousers). In informal British English, often shortened to 'hi-vis'.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a high-visibility shirt for the party.
✅I bought a high-visibility shirt for cycling at night.
💡high-visibility clothing is for safety in dangerous conditions, not for fashion or style.

2. relating to a person, event, or activity that attracts a large amount of public

2.形容詞B2
釋義

relating to a person, event, or activity that attracts a large amount of public attention, especially through news coverage, because it is important, influential, or controversial.

例句

The charity gala was a high-visibility event attended by several well-known celebrities.

collocation: high-visibility event

After the merger, the new CEO took on a high-visibility role as the company's public face.

collocation: high-visibility role

同義詞
  • high-profile

    the most direct synonym; nearly interchangeable

  • prominent

    emphasises importance and standing rather than media attention

  • conspicuous

    can imply the attention is negative or unwelcome

  • notable

    suggests something worth remembering; softer intensity

反義詞
  • low-profile

    deliberately avoiding attention or publicity

  • low-key

    restrained in style and not drawing attention

用法筆記

Typically modifies nouns for events, roles, campaigns, or projects. Emphasises public and media exposure, not physical brightness — the figurative sense contrasts with sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌The singer wore a high-visibility dress on stage.' (ambiguous — reader does not know if this means bright fabric or media attention)
✅The singer's stage outfit was high-visibility, with neon pink LED panels.
💡specify whether you mean safety-grade brightness or public attention.