ENGLISH
REFERENCE

obscure

v.
C1 Advanced US //əbˈskjʊɹ// UK //ɒbskjˈɔː// ob·scure Archaic

v. to hide something or make it difficult to see, hear, or understand. You use this when clouds cover the sun, or when someone uses confusing words to hide the truth.

v. to conceal or make something difficult to perceive or understand.


SIMPLE

Thick clouds started to obscure the sun just before the storm hit.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician used long, complicated sentences to obscure the fact that he had no real plan.

COMPLEX

The manager's deliberate use of technical jargon served only to obscure the underlying financial risks, leaving the board unaware of the impending crisis.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English obscure, from Old French obscur, from Latin obscūrus (“dark, dusky, indistinct”), from ob- + scūrus, from Proto-Italic skoiros, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃-. Doublet of oscuro.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; it applies equally to physical concealment and the deliberate hiding of facts.

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