conspicuous

To be especially noticeable by being missing or absent (from something). You're the loudest one in the class, so of course you're conspicuous by your absence! The governor's economic stimulus plan was conspicuous by its absence during his speech this afternoon. A: "How could you tell that I didn't add cinnamon this time?" B: "Well, it's a flavor that's pretty conspicuous by its absence."

To become especially noticeable as a result of being missing or absent (from something). The gala was meant to feature all the top talent in Hollywood, which is why several high-profile actors were made conspicuous by their absence from the event. The governor's economic stimulus plan, which he spent the majority of his campaign championing, was made all the more conspicuous by its absence during his first public speech since winning the election. I hoped people wouldn't notice that I'd forgotten to add cinnamon to the recipe, but it seems to have been made conspicuous by its absence.

Especially noticeable by being missing or absent (from something). You're the loudest one in the class, so of course you're conspicuous by your absence! The governor's economic stimulus plan was conspicuous by its absence during his speech this afternoon. A: "How could you tell that I didn't add cinnamon this time?" B: "Well, it's a flavor that's pretty conspicuous by its absence."

The lavish expenditure of money or acquisition of expensive items as a public display of one's wealth or financial success. In rapidly developing economies, conspicuous consumption becomes more and more prevalent as a means for those who have done well to flaunt their new economic status. I can't believe that teenager was killed by thugs trying to steal his high-end sneakers. Conspicuous consumption really is more important than human life today, huh? I'm not surprised he was embezzling money from his company. I wonder if his conspicuous consumption is what helped tip off the authorities.

To draw attention to or make obvious one's presence, influence, or contribution. My little brother can't stand being ignored, so he goes out of his way to make himself conspicuous whenever we're around other people. Having made a name for herself with her auteur directing, the major film producer always makes herself conspicuous in anything she helps create.

Cliché noticeably absent (from an event). (*Typically: be ~; made ~.) How could the bride's father miss the wedding? He was certainly conspicuous by his absence.

to attract attention to oneself. Please don't make yourself conspicuous. It embarrasses me. Ann makes herself conspicuous by wearing brightly colored clothing.

Also, conspicuous by one's absence. Glaringly obvious by the fact of not being there. For example, One agenda item concerning publicity is conspicuous by its absence, or The bride's father was conspicuous by his absence. The idea is ancient; it was expressed by the Roman writer Tacitus, concerning the absence of Junia's brother and husband at her funeral procession. [Mid-1800s]

If someone or something is conspicuous by their absence, people notice that they are not there. He played no part in the game and was conspicuous by his absence at the post-match celebrations. Mathematics and science were conspicuous by their absence at the university.

Noticeable by the very fact of not being there. The idea was expressed very early on by the Roman historian Tacitus, in recording the absence of Junia’s brother, Brutus, and her husband, Cassius, at her funeral procession. The phrase became popular in the nineteenth century, and continued to be applied often to political matters, such as the absence of certain provisions in a law, or the absence of political leaders on certain important occasions.

Showing off one’s material wealth. The term was coined by the American economist Thorstein Veblen in The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), where he roundly criticized the well-to-do (leisure class) for preying on the rest of society and then flaunting their acquisitions. The term, always used as critically as by its author, has become a cliché.

Very obvious through nonattendance. This oxymoron, which goes back to ancient Rome, applies to people or objects that attracted attention because they were expected to be present but weren't. An example would be a close relative who either wasn't invited or chose not to attend a family function. Some literary commentators contend that the phrase has become a cliché, but it's now used so rarely, you may—although at your peril—claim its wit to be your own.