obscure
word
/əbˈskjʊɹ/
uhb-SKYOOR
/ɒbskjˈɔː/
uhb-SKYAW
Definition
Something that is obscure is hard to see, understand, or know about, often because it is hidden or not well known.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and academic; often used about things that are not well known or are difficult to understand. Collocates with 'meaning', 'origins', 'reference', 'artist'. Can also be a verb meaning to make something less clear. Don't confuse with 'abstract' (which means general, not difficult to see).
Spanish: oscuro - desconocido - difícil de entenderPortuguese (BR): obscuro - desconhecido - difícil de entenderPortuguese (PT): obscuro - desconhecido - difícil de perceberChinese (Simplified): 晦涩 - 不为人知 - 难以理解Chinese (Traditional): 晦澀 - 不為人知 - 難以理解Hindi: अस्पष्ट - अनजान - समझने में कठिनArabic: غامض - غير معروف - يصعب فهمهBengali: অস্পষ্ট - অজ্ঞাতRussian: неясный - малоизвестный - затемнить (глагол)Japanese: 曖昧な - 不明な - 無名のVietnamese: mơ hồ - khó hiểu - ít người biết đếnKorean: 모호한 - 알려지지 않은 - 흐리게 하다(동사)Turkish: belirsiz - bilinmeyen - gizlemek (fiil)Urdu: غیر واضح - غیر معروفIndonesian: kabur - sulit dimengerti - tidak dikenal
Example Sentences
Some ancient symbols have obscure meanings.
basic
The moon was obscured by thick clouds last night.
natural
Her explanation was so obscure that I gave up trying to understand.
natural
There are many obscure laws that nobody remembers.
natural
The instructions were obscure and hard to follow.
basic
He is an obscure writer, not very famous.
basic