obscure
uhb-SKYOOR
Obscure (adjective) means not well known. Example: “The film is based on an obscure Victorian novel.”
adjective
1
Not well known.
"The film is based on an obscure Victorian novel."
"He is an obscure poet whom few people have ever heard of."
"She loves collecting records by obscure bands that never had a hit."
2
Difficult to understand or make out clearly.
"The instructions were written in obscure legal jargon."
"The meaning of the poem is obscure, even to experienced readers."
"His obscure handwriting was almost impossible to read."
verb
1
To hide or make something difficult to see or understand.
"Thick fog obscured the view of the mountains."
"A large hat obscured her face, so I could not see who she was."
"Don't obscure the main point by adding too many unnecessary details."
How to use obscure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither little-known, or hard to see/understand clearly, or (as a verb) to hide something.
Common pairings
obscure reference
obscure the view
remain obscure
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- obscures
- Past tense
- obscured
- Comparative
- obscurer, more obscure
- Superlative
- obscurest, most obscure
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film is based on an _____ Victorian novel.
Etymology
From Latin obscurus, "dark, dusky, indistinct."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for obscure
See all rhymes for 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.
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