obscure meaning and definition

OBSCURE verb

Definition of obscure (verb)

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

OBSCURE adjective

Definition of obscure (adjective)

1. not clearly understood or expressed
   • "an obscure turn of phrase"; "an impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit"-Anatole Broyard; "their descriptions of human behavior become vague, dull, and unclear"- P.A.Sorokin; "vague...forms of speech...have so long passed for mysteries of science"- John Locke
   • synonyms: vague
2. marked by difficulty of style or expression
   • "much that was dark is now quite clear to me"; "those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure"
   • synonyms: dark
3. difficult to find
   • "hidden valleys"; "a hidden cave"; "an obscure retreat"
   • synonyms: hidden
4. not famous or acclaimed
   • "an obscure family"; "unsung heroes of the war"
   • synonyms: unknown, unsung
5. not drawing attention
   • "an unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet"; "an obscure flaw"
   • synonyms: unnoticeable
6. remote and separate physically or socially
   • "existed over the centuries as a world apart"; "preserved because they inhabited a place apart"- W.H.Hudson; "tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization"; "an obscure village"
   • synonyms: apart, isolated