What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
obscure
Example
The author's early works are quite obscure and not well-known. [obscure: adjective]
Example
The meaning of the poem was obscure and hard to decipher. [obscure: adjective]
ambiguous
Example
The politician's statement was ambiguous and left room for multiple interpretations. [ambiguous: adjective]
Example
The instructions were ambiguous and confusing, leading to mistakes. [ambiguous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ambiguous is more commonly used than obscure in everyday language. Ambiguous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while obscure is less common and often used in academic or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between obscure and ambiguous?
Both obscure and ambiguous can be used in formal and informal contexts, but obscure is more likely to be used in academic or technical writing, while ambiguous is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
