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 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