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noun Uncommon

obscurity

uhb-SKYOOR-rih-tee

Obscurity (noun) means the state of being unknown or not noticed. Example: “The band spent years in obscurity before their breakthrough hit.”

noun
1
The state of being unknown or not noticed.
"The band spent years in obscurity before their breakthrough hit."
2
The quality of being hard to understand.
"Critics complained about the obscurity of his later poems."

How to use obscurity

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing unknown, or being confusing/unclear.

Common pairings
fade into obscurity rise from obscurity

Word forms

obscurities plural

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The band spent years in _____ before their breakthrough hit.

Etymology

From Latin obscuritas, from obscurus ("dark, obscure").

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for obscurity

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Frequently asked questions

What does “obscurity” mean?

The word “obscurity” means the state of being unknown or not noticed. In plain terms, being unknown, or being confusing/unclear.

How do you pronounce “obscurity”?

“Obscurity” is pronounced uhb-SKYOOR-rih-tee (/əbˈskjʊɹɪti/ in IPA).

How do you use “obscurity” in a sentence?

Here is “obscurity” used in a sentence: “The band spent years in obscurity before their breakthrough hit.”

What is the opposite of “obscurity”?

The opposite of “obscurity” — its antonyms — are fame and clarity.

What part of speech is “obscurity”?

“Obscurity” is a noun.

Where does the word “obscurity” come from?

The word “obscurity” comes from Latin. From Latin obscuritas, from obscurus ("dark, obscure").

Is “obscurity” a common word?

“Obscurity” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “obscurity” have?

“Obscurity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being unknown or not noticed.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial