obscure Definition
- 1not discovered or known about; uncertain
- 2not well known; not famous or celebrated
- 3hard to understand; difficult to know
Using obscure: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "obscure" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The origins of the tradition are obscure.
Example
He is an obscure writer.
Example
The meaning of the poem remains obscure.
Example
The details of the accident are still obscure.
Example
The room was lit by an obscure lamp in the corner.
obscure Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for obscure
- vague
- ambiguous
- unfamiliar
- unclear
- unknown
Phrases with obscure
Example
The legal document was written in obscure language that was hard for the average person to understand.
Example
The comedian made an obscure reference to a movie that only a few people in the audience had seen.
Example
The gallery specializes in showing the work of obscure artists who are not yet established in the art world.
Origins of obscure
from Latin 'obscurus', meaning 'dark, dim, obscure'
Summary: obscure in Brief
The term 'obscure' [əbˈskjʊə(r)] refers to something that is not discovered or known about, not well known, or hard to understand. It can be used to describe anything from a mysterious origin to an unknown artist. 'Obscure' extends into phrases like 'obscure language,' and can be used formally or informally to denote ambiguity or haziness.