What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
opaque
Example
The windows were opaque, so we couldn't see inside the building. [opaque: adjective]
Example
The meaning of the poem was opaque to me, and I couldn't understand it. [opaque: adjective]
Example
The company's financial statements were opaque, and it was hard to tell how they were making money. [opaque: adjective]
obscure
Example
The author's early works are quite obscure and not well-known. [obscure: adjective]
Example
The sun was obscured by the clouds, and it started to rain. [obscured: verb]
Example
The band was relatively obscure until they released their hit single. [obscure: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obscure is more commonly used than opaque in everyday language. Obscure is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while opaque is less common and refers to a specific property of physical objects.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between opaque and obscure?
Both opaque and obscure can be used in formal or informal contexts, but opaque may be more commonly used in technical or scientific writing due to its specific meaning related to light transmission.
