obscure
0 antonyms and opposites of obscure, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Not well known.
How to use obscure
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin obscurus, "dark, dusky, indistinct."
Full origin of obscure →Frequently asked questions
What does “obscure” mean?
The word “obscure” means not well known. In plain terms, either little-known, or hard to see/understand clearly, or (as a verb) to hide something.
How do you pronounce “obscure”?
“Obscure” is pronounced uhb-SKYOOR (/əbˈskjʊɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “obscure” in a sentence?
Here is “obscure” used in a sentence: “The film is based on an obscure Victorian novel.”
What part of speech is “obscure”?
Depending on how it is used, “obscure” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “obscure” come from?
The word “obscure” comes from Latin. From Latin obscurus, "dark, dusky, indistinct.".
Is “obscure” a common word?
“Obscure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “obscure” have?
“Obscure” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not well known.
What is the difference between obscure and vague?
Obscure describes something not well known or difficult to understand, often because it is hidden, complex, or rarely encountered, such as an obscure historical fact. Vague instead describes something lacking clear detail or precision, such as a vague answer, even if the topic itself is well known.
How is obscure used as a verb?
As a verb, obscure means to hide something or make it difficult to see or understand, as in "clouds obscured the mountain" or "jargon can obscure the real meaning." This usage applies to both physical concealment and making ideas or facts harder to grasp.
What does it mean to call something an obscure reference?
An obscure reference is a mention of something not well known, so that only a small number of people are likely to recognise or understand it. The term is often used for niche pop-culture allusions, historical details, or specialist facts that most people would miss.