# obscurity

/əbˈskjʊɹəti/ (US) · /ɒbskjˈʊɹɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

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

## Definition

the state of being unknown or forgotten by most people. It can also mean that something is very difficult to understand because it is not clear.

For teachers: the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant to the general public; alternatively, the quality of being difficult to understand due to lack of clarity. Often used to describe the career trajectory of artists or the density of a text.

## Examples

- The singer lived in obscurity for years before her first hit.
- Many brilliant scientific papers remain in obscurity because they are published in small, niche journals.
- The poet's work was eventually rescued from obscurity by a dedicated scholar who recognized the revolutionary nature of the early manuscripts.

## Usage notes

- Often follows the preposition 'in' to describe a person's social or professional status.

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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.