salient

C2+ Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈseɪliənt/ UK /ˈseɪliənt/ See IPA manual

adj noun

Meanings

1

adj
most noticeable or important; prominent

The report summarized the salient points of the debate.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · most noticeable or... prominent conspicuous notable striking marked pronounced outstanding

Opposites

inconspicuous minor insignificant unremarkable

Word family

Derived forms saliencesaliencysaliently

Related forms salienceresilient assail

Etymology

From Latin saliens, salient-, the present participle of salire ('to leap, spring'); the sense 'prominent' developed from the idea of something jutting or leaping out.

saliens Latin salire Latin

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Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

# salient

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** ˈseɪliənt
**IPA (UK):** ˈseɪliənt

## Meanings
1. most noticeable or important; prominent

## Examples
- The report summarized the salient points of the debate.

## Synonyms
- prominent
- conspicuous
- notable
- striking
- marked
- pronounced
- outstanding

## Antonyms
- inconspicuous
- minor
- insignificant
- unremarkable

## Derived Forms
- salience
- saliency
- saliently

## Related Forms
- salience
- resilient
- assail

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: saliens
- Root: salire

## Etymology
From Latin saliens, salient-, the present participle of salire ('to leap, spring'); the sense 'prominent' developed from the idea of something jutting or leaping out.

## AI Etymology
Salient comes from Latin saliens, salient-, the present participle of salire ('to leap, spring'); the sense 'prominent' developed from the idea of something jutting or leaping out. The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As an adjective and noun, it carries the sense "most noticeable or important; prominent", with the older formation still helping explain the modern use. Relevant historical forms include Latin saliens and Latin salire. Derivative forms include salience, saliency, saliently; related words include salience, resilient, assail.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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salient

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