obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable. obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.
OBSCURE definition: (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain. See examples of obscure used in a sentence.
OBSCURE definition: 1. not known to many people: 2. not clear and difficult to understand or see: 3. to prevent…. Learn more.
If something or someone is obscure, they are unknown, or are known by only a few people. The origin of the custom is obscure. The hymn was written by an obscure Greek composer.
Define obscure. obscure synonyms, obscure pronunciation, obscure translation, English dictionary definition of obscure. adj. ob scur er , ob scur est 1. Deficient in light; dark: the obscure depths of a cave. 2. a. So faintly perceptible as to lack clear delineation;...
(transitive) To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious.
There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word obscure, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
obscure, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
to make dark or indistinct: The darkness obscured his features. ob scure (əb skyŏŏr′), adj., -scur er, -scur est, v., -scured, -scur ing, n. (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain: an obscure sentence in the contract. hard to perceive: obscure motivations.
If something is obscure, it's vague and hard to see. Be careful if you're driving in heavy rain — the painted lines can be obscure. Obscure comes from Latin obscurus, which can mean "dark, dim," "unclear, hard to understand," or "insignificant, humble."
Best's art is eccentric and obscure. Publishers would not print his earlier poetry because they felt it was too obscure. The connection between the studies is somewhat obscure. The Silver Apples are one of those obscure bands that you might hear about, but never actually hear.