perspicuous

IPA/pəˈspɪk.ju.əs/
IPA/pɚˈspɪk.ju.əs/

perspicuous — adjective

  • perspicuouspositive
  • more perspicuouscomparative
  • most perspicuoussuperlative

1. describes language, writing, or an explanation that is arranged and presented so

1.形容詞C2
釋義

describes language, writing, or an explanation that is arranged and presented so clearly that the meaning is immediately obvious to the reader or listener without any effort.

例句

Professor Sofia's perspicuous explanation of immune response helped the whole class understand a difficult topic.

perspicuous + noun (explanation, writing, argument)

The manual's perspicuous diagrams helped Devika assemble the bookshelf in under an hour.

同義詞
  • lucid

    similar formal register; often used for writing or explanations that flow clearly

  • clear

    much more common and less formal; can apply to many more contexts

  • intelligible

    focuses on being understandable rather than well-arranged

  • transparent

    suggests nothing is hidden; often used for motives or processes

反義詞
  • obscure

    difficult to understand because of poor expression or intentional vagueness

  • confusing

    causes uncertainty or misunderstanding

  • ambiguous

    has more than one possible meaning

文法句型

be + perspicuous

perspicuous + noun

so perspicuous that...

用法筆記

Applies to language, writing, explanations, and arguments, but not to physical objects or visual clarity. For concrete clarity of sight or sound, use 'clear' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The professor gave a perspicacious lecture that everyone understood easily.
✅The professor gave a perspicuous lecture that everyone understood easily.
💡Perspicacious means 'shrewd and discerning' (about a person's mind), not 'clear and easy to follow'.
❌She is a perspicuous student who always notices small details.
✅She is a perspicacious student who always notices small details.
💡Only perspicacious describes someone who notices things; perspicuous describes how something is expressed.

2. describes a person who thinks through ideas carefully and then expresses them in

2.形容詞C2
釋義

describes a person who thinks through ideas carefully and then expresses them in a way that others can follow without confusion — used especially for speakers, writers, and thinkers.

例句

The CEO valued Takeshi for his perspicuous summaries of complex market data during board meetings.

perspicuous + noun (summaries, thinker, communicator)

A perspicuous communicator, Nora could explain her research to scientists and to schoolchildren with equal ease.

同義詞
  • articulate

    more common; focuses on the ability to speak fluently and clearly

  • lucid

    similar register; describes both the person and their expression

  • coherent

    emphasises that ideas connect logically

反義詞
  • inarticulate

    unable to express thoughts clearly

  • muddled

    confused in thinking; ideas are not well organised

文法句型

perspicuous + noun

be + perspicuous

用法筆記

Describes a person's communicative style or mental approach, not their general intelligence. Distinguish from 'perspicacious', which means having sharp insight and keen observation rather than expressing ideas clearly.

常見錯誤

❌The perspicuous detective solved the case by noticing a tiny footprint.
✅The perspicacious detective solved the case by noticing a tiny footprint.
💡Perspicuous is about expressing clearly, not about noticing clues.