Conspicuously means in a way that's very noticeable or attracts attention. When something happens conspicuously, it stands out so much that people can't help but see it.

If you're the only student wearing a bright yellow raincoat in a sea of dark jackets, you're dressed conspicuously. If someone yawns conspicuously during a presentation, everyone notices. When a teacher conspicuously glances at the clock during a boring meeting, the whole room picks up on it.

Something conspicuous practically demands to be seen. A giraffe in a parking lot would be conspicuous. So would a missing front tooth, a huge bandage, or the only empty seat in a crowded theater.

The opposite is inconspicuously, meaning in a way that doesn't attract notice. A spy wants to move inconspicuously through a crowd. But if you show up to school with a trophy, a new haircut, or mud all over your clothes, you'll probably stand out conspicuously.

Sometimes people do things conspicuously on purpose to make a point, like conspicuously clearing their throat when someone's being rude. Other times, conspicuousness just happens, whether you want the attention or not.