French word

inaperçu

Pronunciation

IPA/inapɛʁsy/

Meaning

  • adjectiveunnoticed

Example

Le message est passé inaperçu.

The message went unnoticed.

Illustration for inaperçu (unnoticed)

More examples

Il a réussi à passer inaperçu pendant la soirée.

He managed to go unnoticed during the evening.

Core concept

A message moves through a busy scene like a shadow, present but missed by those watching.

Common phrases

  • passer inaperçu

    pass unnoticed

  • rester inaperçu

    remain unnoticed

Similar words

discret: Reserved in manner and unlikely to attract attention.
caché: Concealed so that it cannot be seen.
oublié: Forgotten after once being known or present.

Definition in French

Qui passe sans attirer l'attention des autres et qui n'est pas remarqué.

Word origin

The prefix in- marks negation in inaperçu, while aperçu comes from apercevoir, whose past participle refers to something seen or noticed.

Usage tips

  • Inaperçu describes lack of notice, not lack of importance, so an important message can still passer inaperçu.

Other meanings

  • inconspicuousadjective

Opposites

  • remarquénoticedadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word