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obscure
[ uhb-skyoor ]
adjective
- (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain:
an obscure sentence in the contract.
Antonyms: certain
- not clear to the understanding; hard to perceive:
obscure motivations.
- (of language, style, a speaker, etc.) not expressing the meaning clearly or plainly.
- indistinct to the sight or any other sense; not readily seen, heard, etc.; faint.
Synonyms: veiled
Antonyms: clear
- inconspicuous or unnoticeable:
the obscure beginnings of a great movement.
- of little or no prominence, note, fame, or distinction:
an obscure French artist.
Synonyms: unknown, undistinguished
Antonyms: conspicuous, noted
an obscure little town.
Synonyms: inconspicuous, secluded
an obscure back room.
Synonyms: somber, shadowy, dusky
Antonyms: bright
- enveloped in, concealed by, or frequenting darkness.
- not bright or lustrous; dull or darkish, as color or appearance.
- (of a vowel) having the reduced or neutral sound usually represented by the schwa (ə).
verb (used with object)
- to conceal or conceal by confusing (the meaning of a statement, poem, etc.).
- to make dark, dim, indistinct, etc.
- to reduce or neutralize (a vowel) to the sound usually represented by a schwa (ə).
noun
obscure
/ ˌɒbskjʊˈreɪʃən; əbˈskjʊə /
adjective
- unclear or abstruse
- indistinct, vague, or indefinite
- inconspicuous or unimportant
- hidden, secret, or remote
- (of a vowel) reduced to or transformed into a neutral vowel ( ə )
- gloomy, dark, clouded, or dim
verb
- to make unclear, vague, or hidden
- to cover or cloud over
- phonetics to pronounce (a vowel) with articulation that causes it to become a neutral sound represented by ( ə )
noun
- a rare word for obscurity
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Derived Forms
- obscuration, noun
- obˈscureness, noun
- obˈscurely, adverb
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Other Words From
- ob·scur·ed·ly [uh, b-, skyoor, -id-lee], ob·scure·ly adverb
- ob·scure·ness noun
- sub·ob·scure adjective
- sub·ob·scure·ness noun
- un·ob·scure adjective
- un·ob·scure·ness noun
- un·ob·scured adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of obscure1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of obscure1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
And too much of a focus on numbers can obscure strategic truths.
But the authority of his name far exceeds that of our own, famous or obscure though we be.
Astrology and black magic are forbidden in Islam; not an obscure point and one that Monis likely knew.
Whether it was actual ignorance, senility, or some obscure test, it's hard to know.
He can barely speak the titles, but manages to let Viridiana and That Obscure Object of Desire pass from his lips.
When we got to the house we entered an obscure corridor and began to find our way up a dark and narrow staircase.
Disillusionment cut him to the quick, but had no power to obscure his rosy views of human nature.
He was recalled, and again moved, in calm triumph, from his obscure chambers to the regal palace of the minister.
It was an hour later that Black Hood came to an obscure little jewelry shop known simply as "Tauber's."
Like a clarion call the note rings in my ears, amidst the din of contending views and obscure phraseology.
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