obscure obscure /əbsˈkjʊr/

adjective

1. () Not clearly expressed or understood  ( obscure , vague )
   not clearly expressed or understood
    An obscure turn of phrase
   an obscure turn of phrase
    An impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit
   an impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit
    Their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear
   their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear
    Vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science
   vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science
   
2. () Marked by difficulty of style or expression  ( dark , obscure )
   marked by difficulty of style or expression
    Much that was dark is now quite clear to me
   much that was dark is now quite clear to me
    Those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure
   those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure
   
3. Remote and separate physically or socially  ( isolated , obscure , out on a limb , apart )
   remote and separate physically or socially
    Existed over the centuries as a world apart
   existed over the centuries as a world apart
    Preserved because they inhabited a place apart
   preserved because they inhabited a place apart
    Tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization
   tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization
    An obscure village
   an obscure village
   
4. Not drawing attention  ( obscure , unnoticeable )
   not drawing attention
    An unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet
   an unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet
    An obscure flaw
   an obscure flaw
   
5. Not famous or acclaimed  ( obscure , unknown , unsung )
   not famous or acclaimed
    An obscure family
   an obscure family
    Unsung heroes of the war
   unsung heroes of the war
   
6. Difficult to find  ( hidden , obscure )
   difficult to find
    Hidden valleys
   hidden valleys
    A hidden cave
   a hidden cave
    An obscure retreat
   an obscure retreat
   

verb

1. () Make less visible or unclear  ( becloud , fog , haze over , befog , cloud , mist , obnubilate , obscure )
   make less visible or unclear
    The stars are obscured by the clouds
   The stars are obscured by the clouds
    The big elm tree obscures our view of the valley
   the big elm tree obscures our view of the valley
   
2. () Make obscure or unclear  ( bedim , overcloud , obscure )
   make obscure or unclear
    The distinction was obscured
   The distinction was obscured
   
3. () Make unclear, indistinct, or blurred  ( confuse , obnubilate , blur , obscure )
   make unclear, indistinct, or blurred
    Her remarks confused the debate
   Her remarks confused the debate
    Their words obnubilate their intentions
   Their words obnubilate their intentions
   
4. Make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing  ( hide , obscure , veil , blot out , obliterate )
   make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing
    A hidden message
   a hidden message
    A veiled threat
   a veiled threat
   
5. (linguistics) reduce a vowel to a neutral one, such as a schwa  ( obscure )
   (linguistics) reduce a vowel to a neutral one, such as a schwa