Obtuse Meaning in English
word
ɑbˈtus
ahb-TOOS
ɒbtjˈuːs
ob-TYOOS
Definition
'Obtuse' describes an angle greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. It also refers to a person who is slow to understand or insensitive.
Usage & Nuances
As a geometry term, 'obtuse angle' is standard. When describing a person, it can sound critical or rude—implies slowness, not simply lack of knowledge. Don't confuse with 'obese'. Less common in everyday English, more common in academic or formal settings.
Spanish: obtuso - torpe (personas)Portuguese (BR): obtuso - lento (pessoa)Portuguese (PT): obtuso - lento (pessoa)Chinese (Simplified): 钝角 - 迟钝（人）Chinese (Traditional): 鈍角 - 遲鈍（人）Hindi: मूर्ख - कुंद (कोण)Arabic: غبي - منفرج الزاويةBengali: কোনা (৯০°-১৮০° এর মধ্যে) - মন্দবুদ্ধিRussian: тупой (угол) - недалёкий (о человеке)Japanese: 鈍角 - 鈍い（理解が遅い）Vietnamese: tù (góc) - chậm hiểuKorean: 둔각 - 둔한 (이해가 느린)Turkish: geniş (açı) - anlayışsızUrdu: کُند زاویہ - کند ذہنIndonesian: tumpul (sudut) - lamban (kurang paham)
Example Sentences
An obtuse angle measures more than 90 degrees.
basic
He was too obtuse to understand the joke.
basic
The triangle has one obtuse angle.
basic
Stop being so obtuse—she obviously likes you!
natural
Her answer was deliberately obtuse, avoiding a direct response.
natural
It's pointless to argue with someone so obtuse about details.
natural