What does strikingness mean?
Strikingness is the noun form of “striking” and denotes the quality of attracting immediate attention. It is especially applied to things that are conspicuously vivid, unusual, elegant, or forceful, such as a dramatic design, a striking photograph, or an impressive performance. The word can also describe the effect of language or ideas when they are unusually memorable or compelling, although visual and artistic uses are the most common. In everyday speech, people will often choose “striking” as an adjective or say that something is “very striking,” but “strikingness” is useful when discussing the distinctive impact or visual power of a person, object, image, or work. It can convey admiration for effective presentation while retaining a relatively formal, descriptive tone.
nounThe quality of being striking, especially of being visually vivid, distinctive, or impossible to overlook.
- The quality of being conspicuous, visually vivid, distinctive, or otherwise striking.
"The bold red cover gave the design an immediate strikingness that no amount of subtle branding could match."
"The strikingness of the architecture transformed an ordinary square into a tourist destination."
"Her use of vivid language gave the essay a strikingness that held the reader's attention."
The plural is possible but uncommon because the noun itself is used infrequently.
"The curator noted the strikingnesses of the gallery's competing displays."
Strikingness names the power of something to seize attention instantly, especially through unusual color, design, or visual impact.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strikingness come from?
“Strikingness” was formed within English by adding the noun suffix “-ness” to “striking,” a form of “strike.” “Strike” originally meant to hit or touch and later developed senses including “impress strongly,” “affect deeply,” and “stand out conspicuously.” The suffix “-ness,” which forms abstract nouns from adjectives, has Old English ancestry and was commonly used in Middle English to create words expressing quality or state.
Related word forms
How strikingness is actually used
This is a relatively uncommon and somewhat formal noun, used more often in descriptions of visual design, appearance, or artistic effect than in general conversation.