What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
recondite
Example
The professor's lecture on quantum physics was too recondite for most of the students. [recondite: adjective]
Example
The book contained recondite references to ancient mythology that were difficult to understand. [recondite: adjective]
abstruse
Example
The philosopher's writing was so abstruse that only a few people could understand it. [abstruse: adjective]
Example
The mathematician's proof was abstruse and required extensive knowledge of calculus. [abstruse: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abstruse is more commonly used than recondite in everyday language. Abstruse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while recondite is less common and refers to knowledge or information that is obscure or hidden from the general public.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between recondite and abstruse?
Both recondite and abstruse are formal words that are typically used in academic or intellectual contexts. However, recondite has a slightly more mysterious or esoteric connotation, while abstruse has a more straightforward connotation of being difficult or hard to understand.
