What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evident
Example
It was evident from his expression that he was not happy with the news. [evident: adjective]
Example
The results of the experiment made it evident that the hypothesis was correct. [evident: adjective]
obvious
Example
It's obvious that she's upset about something. [obvious: adjective]
Example
The answer to the riddle was so obvious that everyone felt silly for not getting it sooner. [obvious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obvious is more commonly used than evident in everyday language. Obvious is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while evident is less common and tends to be used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evident and obvious?
Evident is typically associated with a more formal tone, while obvious is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.