Salient – Meaning, Definition, History & Exercise!- Word Of The Day For IELTS

Words like ‘salient’ are used in IELTS to add variety and depth to answers and showcase lexical resources, which account for 25% of the total IELTS band score. So, let’s learn how ‘salient’ can be used appropriately in its different forms and understand its meaning through some exercises!

Meaning of the Word 'Salient'

Salient can be used as an adjective as well as a noun. Let’s check what the meanings of salient are.

• As an adjective, ‘salient’ is used to describe something that is prominent, noticeable, or stands out from its surroundings. It can refer to a significant or important feature that captures attention.
• As a noun, ‘salient’ represents a piece of land or a feature that projects outward beyond its surroundings, often in the context of geography or military strategy.

Usage & Examples of 'Salient'

Given below are some examples of how salient can be used in sentences as an adjective and a noun.

Adjective form

• In a presentation, it is essential to highlight the salient points to keep the audience engaged.
• The politician’s salient remarks in the debate drew widespread media coverage.
• The research paper outlined the salient aspects of the study, making it easier for readers to grasp the main findings.
• We need now only take note of the most salient features.
• In Viennese modernism, then, the court aristocracy was, in relation to the Bürgertum, the most salient social class.
• Students are prone to explain undesirable features of a system in terms of its most salient characteristics.

Noun form

• The troops strategically positioned themselves at the salient of the enemy’s territory.
• The river flows around a natural salient creating a picturesque landscape.
• Geologists study the formation of geological salients to understand the Earth’s surface changes.

Synonyms of 'Salient'

Instead of repeating the same word, using synonyms of salient can emphasize your IELTS vocabulary prowess. Here are some common synonyms of salient that you can effectively use in IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking responses.

Antonyms of 'Salient'

Learning the antonyms of salient boosts your word power for IELTS Speaking and Writing as well as help you to avoid wrong usage. Go ahead and learn a few!

History and Origin of 'Salient'

• The word ‘salient’ has its origins in the Latin word ‘salire,’ meaning “to leap or jump.” It is a term used to describe something that stands out or is clearly visible.
• The word came into being in the Middle Ages. At that time, it was used for abstract meanings related to importance. The term was first used in English in the mid-17th century with its original meaning related to military contexts like projecting part of a building.
• Over time, it evolved to its current usage as both an adjective and a noun with the connotation of standing out or being prominent.

Practice Exercise

1. The existing plant, which was none too …………………, had already attracted much comment.
2. I’ve asked the restaurant to bring you around a …………………
3. A servant hitched up a ……………… and drove her the short distance to Mount Pitt.
4. His victims are ……………………. women whom he can control.
5. Having rinsed and stowed the fishing gear in the after locker, he reached into the ………………. for a cold beer.
6. The most ………………….. committees, in our experience, are ones responsible for capital budgeting, strategic planning, and compensation.

Practice Exercise: Answer Key 

When you incorporate the word ‘salient’ into your vocabulary, you will be able to illustrate the importance and prominence of features or aspects in various contexts. So, by utilizing ‘salient’ appropriately, improve your communication skills and make your expressions more vivid and impactful, potentially increasing your IELTS score.

For more such words and useful phrases, check out Vocabulary for IELTS ebook.

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