French word

voyant

Pronunciation

IPA/vwajɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectiveeye-catching

Example

Cette robe est voyante.

That dress is eye-catching.

Illustration for voyant (eye-catching)

More examples

Il porte une chemise voyante.

He is wearing a flashy shirt.

Core concept

A person, outfit, or behavior that catches the eye immediately through a conspicuous appearance.

Common phrases

  • chemise voyante

    flashy shirt

  • tenue voyante

    flashy outfit

Similar words

tapageur: Noisy and attention-seeking, with an imposing manner or sound.
éclatant: Strikingly bright or intense, with a powerful and clear effect.
criard: Shrill or garish in color or sound, often seeming unpleasant.

Definition in French

Qui se fait remarquer sans difficulté, que ce soit une personne, un vêtement ou un comportement.

Word origin

Voyant comes from the present participle of voir, from Old French veiant and ultimately Latin videre, with its sense developing from visible to conspicuous.

Usage tips

  • Voyant often suggests excessive showiness in clothing, unlike the more neutral visible, although context can make it merely conspicuous.

Other meanings

  • flashyadjective
  • conspicuousadjective

Opposites

  • sobreunderstatedadjective

Word lists with this word