# obscured

/əbˈskjʊɹd/ (US) · /ɒbskjˈɔːd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/obscured
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

hidden from view or difficult to see and understand. You use this when something like clouds, smoke, or a lack of information makes it hard to see the truth.

For teachers: rendered unclear, hidden, or difficult to perceive. Often functions as a participial adjective following a linking verb or preceding a noun to describe a lack of clarity.

## Examples

- The mountain peak was obscured by thick clouds.
- The true meaning of the contract was obscured by complex legal language that even the lawyers struggled to explain.
- The historical facts of the event have been obscured by decades of conflicting propaganda, making it nearly impossible for modern researchers to reconstruct the original timeline with any certainty.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the preposition 'by' to indicate the cause of the lack of clarity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.