utpräglat

Utpräglat is a Swedish adjective used to describe something that is clearly expressed, strongly developed, or markedly distinctive. It is often applied to traits, features, styles, or behaviours that are easily noticed or highly characteristic. In neuter form it is used before neuter nouns, for example ett utpräglat drag or ett utpräglat färgschema.

Etymology and grammar: The word is formed from prefixet ut- meaning outward or external and präglad, from prä cla, meaning imprinted or embossed. Thus utpräglad literally conveys something outwardly marked. The neuter singular form ett utpräglat drag is a common construction, and you will also encounter the attributive form utpräglad when the gender of the noun requires a non-neuter adjective.

Usage and nuance: Utpräglat is widely used in sociology, psychology, linguistics, art and design to denote features that stand out as especially pronounced or distinctive. The term carries a descriptive, often neutral, tone, but can imply evaluative judgment about how prominent a trait is. Examples include utpräglat dialektuttryck in a region, ett utpräglat färgschema i en målning, or ett utpräglat könsrollsmönster i en studie.

Synonyms and related terms: Markant, tydlig, påfallande, karaktäristisk, uitgeskriven. The choice of synonym can shade the meaning toward emphasis, prominence, or distinctiveness.

See also: Terms related to description of characteristics and traits, such as markanthet, tydlighet och särprägel, depending on the discipline and context.