obscure
The instructions were so obscure that no one could follow them.
The instructions were so unclear that no one could understand them.
difficult to understand; unclear or ambiguous
The author's writing style is often obscure, making his books challenging to read.
The author's writing style is often unclear, making his books difficult to understand.
Often used to describe language, meanings, or situations that are not easily comprehensible.
not well-known or widely recognized; hidden from view or attention
The artist gained fame after years of working in obscurity.
The artist gained fame after years of being unknown or unrecognized.
Can refer to people, places, or things that are not prominent or well-known.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Often used to describe language, ideas, or situations that are not easily understood.
Word Origin
From Latin 'obscurus', meaning 'dark, dim, or unclear'.
Usage Notes
Can be used to describe both abstract concepts (e.g., ideas, meanings) and physical things (e.g., places, objects).