Salient
/ˈseɪliənt/
adjectivenounC1
Definition
Salient describes something that is easy to see or understand because it is very clear, important, or stands out from everything else. When used as a noun, it refers to a part that sticks out physically or in attention, like a point or feature.
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See It in Action
Most important or noticeable feature or point
- •The salient fact in the report was the increase in sales.
- •Her speech highlighted the salient issues affecting the community.
- •The salient points of the lesson were easy to understand.
A part that sticks out physically (noun, often used in military or geography)
- •The castle was built on a salient of land that juts into the river.
- •Soldiers defended the salient to stop the enemy from advancing.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "salient" like "important," but stronger and easier to notice—like the biggest or brightest thing in a group
- ✓Picture a bright red apple in a basket of green apples—it stands out clearly and grabs your attention
- ✓It's the feeling when you immediately notice the main point in a story or the most visible part of a building
- ✓Sounds like "SALE-ient" → imagine a big SALE sign that stands out in a busy street, making you stop and look
- ✓In stories, the salient point is the key idea you remember most after reading
- ✓NOT like "small" or "hidden"—salient things are always easy to see or notice
- ✓NOT like "ordinary"—salient means special or different enough to catch your eye
Try Other Words
- •Prominent: very noticeable or important (Use when you want to say something stands out in a clear way)
- •Main: the most important or central (Use in simple contexts to show the primary idea or feature)
- •Noticeable: easy to see or recognize (Use when focusing on physical or visual attention)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Latin "salire" meaning "to leap" or "jump" + suffix "-ent" indicating an adjective
- •Etymology: From Latin "salientem," meaning "leaping" or "projecting," originally describing something that sticks out
- •Historical development: Used in English from the 1600s to describe physical features that stand out, later extended to ideas or facts that stand out
- •Modern usage: Mostly used to describe the most important or noticeable points in speech, writing, or physical features
Reflect & Connect
•What makes a fact or feature salient in your daily life? Can small things be salient sometimes?
•How does noticing salient points help you understand stories, news, or conversations better?
Fill in the blanks
1.The salient point of her argument was ___ clear that everyone agreed with her.
2.When you write an essay, you should focus on the most salient ___ to make your ideas strong.
3.The castle was built on a salient ___ that made it easy to defend.
4.Unlike minor details, salient facts ___ the main ideas that people remember.
5.The bright color made the object salient ___ the dull background.
6.He spoke slowly to make sure the salient ___ were understood by all listeners.
7.The soldiers held the salient ___ carefully because it was important for the battle.