Manifest Definition: Clearly Evident & Obvious

Meaning 1：Clearly evident and obvious (manifest)

manifest 🔊

/ˈmænɪfɛst/

adj.

So clear and obvious that everyone can see it easily.

Child holding perfect test paper with manifest joy

Clearly evident and obvious 🔊

➕

/ˈklɪrli ˈɛvɪdənt ænd ˈɒbviəs/

adj.

Describes something so clear and obvious that it requires no further proof or explanation.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'manifestus' (manus 'hand' + festus 'struck, felt'), originally meaning 'struck by hand', thus 'palpable, obvious'.

💡 Mnemonic

A man at a festival holds up a giant sign saying 'FREE PIZZA'—the message is manifest to everyone instantly.

📖 Example

The positive impact of the new park on community health became manifest in just a few months, with more people walking and playing outside every day. 🔊 The positive impact of the new park on community health became manifest in just a few months, with more people walking and playing outside every day.

🔗 Collocations

manifest destiny – A 19th-century belief that the US was destined to expand across the continent

manifest evidence – Clear and undeniable proof

manifest injustice – An obvious and serious unfairness

🔄 Synonyms

obvious (adj.) – Easily seen or understood; requiring no explanation

evident (adj.) – Clearly visible or understood; obvious

apparent (adj.) – Clearly visible or understood; seeming real or true

🚫 Antonyms

hidden (adj.) – Kept out of sight; concealed

obscure (adj.) – Not well known or easily understood

unclear (adj.) – Not easy to see, hear, or understand

🌱 Derivatives

manifestly (adv.) – In a way that is clearly visible or obvious

manifestation (n.) – An event, action, or object that clearly shows something

manifesto (n.) – A public declaration of intentions, motives, or views

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English via Old French in the 14th century, originally used in law for 'clearly proved'. Its root metaphor—something you can grasp with your hand—evolved into a general term for undeniable clarity.