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obvious

 - 4 dictionary results

ob⋅vi⋅ous

  [ob-vee-uhs]
Use obvious in a Sentence
–adjective
1. easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident: an obvious advantage.
2. lacking in subtlety.
3. Obsolete. being or standing in the way.
Origin:
1580–90; < L obvius in the way, lying in the path, equiv. to ob- ob- + vi(a) way + -us adj. suffix (see -ous )

Related forms:
ob⋅vi⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
ob⋅vi⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. plain, manifest, clear, palpable, unmistakable. See apparent.

Antonyms:
1. hidden.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To obvious
ob·vi·ous   (ŏb'vē-əs)   
adj.  

  1. Easily perceived or understood; quite apparent. See Synonyms at apparent.

  2. Easily seen through because of a lack of subtlety; transparent: an obvious political ploy.

  3. Archaic Standing in the way or in front.


[From Latin obvius, from obviam, in the way, within reach : ob-, against; see ob- + viam, accusative sing. of via, way; see wegh- in Indo-European roots.]
ob'vi·ous·ly adv., ob'vi·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

obvious 
1586, "frequently met with," from L. obvius "that is in the way, presenting itself readily, commonplace," from obviam (adv.) "in the way," from ob "against" + viam, acc. of via "way." Meaning "plain to see, evident" is first recorded 1635.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ob·vi·ous
Function: adjective
: easily seen, discovered, or understood; specifically : readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in a particular art considering the scope and content of the prior art —see also PATENT
NOTE: An invention that is found to be obvious cannot be patented. —ob·vi·ous·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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