Definition Definition

obscure - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'obscure' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Obscure [ a.]
- To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious.
2 . Obscure [ n.]
- Obscurity.
3 . Obscure [ superl.]
- Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.
- Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed.
- Not noticeable; humble; mean.
- Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or blind; as, an obscure passage or inscription.
- Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects.
4 . Obscure [ v. i.]
- To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark.

Meaning of 'obscure' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . obscure [ v]
Meaning (1):
- make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing
Example in sentence:
  • a hidden message;
  • a veiled threat
Meaning (2):
- make unclear, indistinct, or blurred
Example in sentence:
  • Her remarks confused the debate;
  • Their words obnubilate their intentions
Meaning (3):
- make less visible or unclear
Example in sentence:
  • the big elm tree obscures our view of the valley;
  • The stars are obscured by the clouds
Meaning (4):
- make obscure or unclear
Example in sentence:
  • The distinction was obscured
5 . obscure [ s]
Meaning (5):
- difficult to find
Example in sentence:
  • a hidden cave;
  • an obscure retreat;
  • hidden valleys
Meaning (6):
- not clearly expressed or understood
Example in sentence:
  • an impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit;
  • an obscure turn of phrase;
  • their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear;
  • vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science
Meaning (7):
- not famous or acclaimed
Example in sentence:
  • an obscure family;
  • unsung heroes of the war
Meaning (8):
- not drawing attention
Example in sentence:
  • an obscure flaw;
  • an unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet
Meaning (9):
- remote and separate physically or socially
Example in sentence:
  • an obscure village;
  • existed over the centuries as a world apart;
  • preserved because they inhabited a place apart;
  • tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization
Meaning (10):
- marked by difficulty of style or expression
Example in sentence:
  • much that was dark is now quite clear to me;
  • those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure

Nearby Words:

obscene obscenities obscenity obscurant obscurantism obscurantist obscuration obscured obscurely obscurement

See 'obscure' also in:

Dictionary.com Google Translator Wikipedia.com Merriam Webster

Categories

Browse Dictionary