Word
obscure
Phoneticsob·scure, stress on the second syllable
US/əbˈskjʊɹ/
UK/ɒbskjˈɔː/
Definitions
01not well-known
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not known by many people.
adj. lacking fame or prominence; not widely known or celebrated.
“The library has a large collection of books by obscure poets from the 1800s.”
“The researcher spent years tracking down an obscure legal document that had been misfiled in the local archives since the late nineteenth century.”
Synonyms
02difficult to understand
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. difficult to understand because the meaning is not clear.
adj. difficult to comprehend or interpret; lacking clarity in expression or meaning.
“The instructions were so obscure that I had to ask for help.”
“The philosopher's later works are notoriously obscure, requiring extensive commentary for even advanced students to grasp the core arguments.”
03hard to see
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. difficult to see clearly because it is dark or hidden.
adj. indistinct or faint to the sight; lacking sufficient light or sharpness to be clearly perceived.
“We could just see the obscure shape of a boat through the thick fog.”
“The obscure outlines of the mountains were barely visible against the moonless sky, creating a sense of isolation for the travellers.”
Synonyms
04to hide or cover
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to cover something so that it is difficult to see or understand.
v. to conceal or hide by covering; to make something less visible or intelligible.
“The clouds moved across the sky and started to obscure the moon.”
“The tall new office building will unfortunately obscure the historic cathedral's facade from this side of the river.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb that always takes a direct object.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “obscure” in context.
Adjective
01. obscure difference
“The legal team spent hours debating an obscure difference between the two clauses of the contract.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“Towering smoke plumes caused by wildfires can obscure sunlight and impair plant photosynthesis.” “The weather forecast shows temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s are expected across the region, while clouds are unlikely to obscure the sun.” “On August 12, the moon will pass in front of the sun, completely obscuring it in a solar eclipse.” “A company that put a large parcel locker in front of a blue plaque, obscuring it from public view, has removed the receptacle.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Jude the Obscure · 1895-01-01 · Novel
- Author:
- Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy’s final novel follows Jude Fawley, a working-class stonemason who dreams of escaping his humble life to become a scholar. The title reflects his status as a person who is not well-known or recognized by the social elite of the academic world. As he struggles against the rigid class structures of 19th-century England, his ambitions remain hidden from a society that refuses to acknowledge his potential.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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