WordGarden.ioobscurity
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɒbskjˈʊrɪti/
US
- /əbˈskjʊrəti/
Meanings
Noun
the state of being unknown or not widely noticed
the quality of being hard to understand or lacking clear meaning
darkness, dimness, or poor visibility
Beyond the definition
Obscurity isn't just about darkness; it's about being hidden from view or hard to understand. A forgotten alleyway can sit in obscurity, but so can a complex idea that few people grasp. Think of a historical figure lost to time: that person remains in obscurity until someone rediscovers the story. Sometimes things are intentionally kept in obscurity, like secrets that people carefully guard.
Imagine a lighthouse beam struggling through thick fog. The light exists, but its reach is limited by the mist. That's how obscurity works: something isn't necessarily gone, just difficult to see or know. A talented artist might live in obscurity for years before being recognized, and an important fact might remain in obscurity because almost nobody notices it.
Obscurity refers to the state of being unknown, hidden from view, or unclear. It can describe a lack of fame, recognition, or understanding. For example: "The small village lived in relative obscurity for centuries," meaning it was largely unnoticed by the outside world.
Obscurity isn't always about intentional concealment. Sometimes things simply fade into obscurity over time—forgotten memories, outdated technologies, or lost traditions. A once-popular song might fall into obscurity as new music emerges and captures the public's attention.
However, obscurity can also be deliberate. Authors sometimes write under pseudonyms to remain in obscurity, and governments may classify information to keep it hidden from public view. In detective novels, a shadowy figure may use the darkness of night to stay in obscurity and avoid notice.
The word can also describe something that is difficult to understand because it is too complex or vague. For example, "The legal jargon was so obscure that few readers understood it" means the language was confusing and lacked clarity.
Whether it is a lack of recognition, intentional concealment, or simple confusion, obscurity represents a state where things are hidden from sight, knowledge, or understanding—existing on the fringes of awareness.
Examples
- 1
Artist's life
The artist lived in obscurity for most of her life.
- 2
Sudden fame
A viral video lifted the band from obscurity to international fame.
- 3
Lost fame
After one popular album, the singer slowly faded into obscurity.
- 4
Small team
The app was built by a small team working in relative obscurity.
- Phraserelative obscurity
with little public attention
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Difficult writing
Critics complained about the obscurity of some passages in the novel.
- Patternthe obscurity of + text/detail
how hard it is to understand
- 6
Unclear rules
The article clears up several obscurities in the new tax rules.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- invisibility
- marginality
- low profile
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- live in obscurity
- fade into obscurity
- rise from obscurity
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- obscuritynoun
Forms
- obscuritiespluralnoun