Definitions for obscure



Overview of verb obscure

The verb obscure has 5 senses? (first 3 from tagged texts)
1. (3) obscure, befog, becloud, obnubilate, haze over, fog, cloud, mist

(make less visible or unclear; "The stars are obscured by the clouds"; "the big elm tree obscures our view of the valley")

2. (2) confuse, blur, obscure, obnubilate

(make unclear, indistinct, or blurred; "Her remarks confused the debate"; "Their words obnubilate their intentions")

3. (2) obscure, bedim, overcloud

(make obscure or unclear; "The distinction was obscured")

4. obscure

(reduce a vowel to a neutral one, such as a schwa)

5. obscure, blot out, obliterate, veil, hide

(make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing; "a hidden message"; "a veiled threat")


Overview of adj obscure

The adj obscure has 6 senses? (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (4) obscure, vague

(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)

2. (2) dark, obscure

(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")

3. hidden, obscure

(difficult to find; "hidden valleys"; "a hidden cave"; "an obscure retreat")

4. obscure, unknown, unsung

(not famous or acclaimed; "an obscure family"; "unsung heroes of the war")

5. obscure, unnoticeable

(not drawing attention; "an unnoticeable cigarette burn on the carpet"; "an obscure flaw")

6. apart, isolated, obscure

(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")

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