adjective

salient

/ˈseɪliənt/ · say it: SAY·lee·uhnt

most noticeable or important

In Sophisticated Everyday

most noticeable or important

In Formal & Academic

In more detail

1. (adjective) most noticeable or important; standing out clearly

2. (adjective) pointing outward or projecting

Examples

1. The salient features of the new design are its simplicity and speed.
2. The salient angles of the building's facade created an interesting shadow pattern.

How to use salient

Salient is a formal word used in academic, professional, and analytical contexts to describe features or aspects that are most noticeable, important, or relevant to a discussion. It emphasizes both visibility and significance, making it stronger than merely 'noticeable' and more precise than 'important' alone. The geometric sense (projecting outward) is technical and rarely used outside architecture or topology.

Common phrases

salient features
salient points
salient issue
salient fact
salient characteristic

Synonyms

prominent · striking · conspicuous · notable · outstanding

Opposites

inconspicuous · obscure · negligible

Word family

salience (noun) · saliently (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse salient with 'silent' or use it when they mean 'prominent' but need a more objective, analytical tone.

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