imperceptibly

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   So slightly or slowly that you cannot notice it.

   Grammar: Usually describes a change: the tide rose imperceptibly.

   Patterns

   • change imperceptibly
   • imperceptibly slow

   The sky darkened imperceptibly as the evening went on.

   Her voice shifted imperceptibly from calm to angry.

   The glacier moves imperceptibly, only a few inches a day.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   In a very small way, barely enough to be sensed.

   Grammar: Used with gestures or small movements.

   He nodded imperceptibly to signal her to continue.

   The ground trembled imperceptibly.

   She shrugged imperceptibly and went on working.

Common combinations

change imperceptibly

Her mood changed imperceptibly over the evening.

move imperceptibly

The hands of the clock seem to move imperceptibly.

imperceptibly slow

The healing was imperceptibly slow.

shift imperceptibly

The balance of power shifted imperceptibly.

slip imperceptibly into

Autumn slipped imperceptibly into winter.

Synonyms and how they differ

barely

Barely is an everyday word meaning only just, and is less formal than imperceptibly.

subtly

Subtly suggests a delicate, clever difference, but a subtle change can still be noticed.

gradually

Gradually describes a slow rate, while imperceptibly says the change cannot be seen.

insensibly

Insensibly is an old-fashioned and literary word meaning without being aware.

Opposites

Word family

imperceptible adjective

too slight to be noticed

perceive verb

to notice or become aware of something

perceptible adjective

able to be noticed

perception noun

the way you notice or understand something

Commonly confused: imperceptibly or imperceptive?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “imperceptibly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words