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Definition of obscurity

obscurity

/əbˈskjʊr.ə.ti/
ob · scu · ri · ty
Adverb:obscurely
•
Plural:obscurities
•
Adjective:obscure
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obscurity Lexical Profile

obscurity Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant.

Example

"The once-popular novelist spent the final decades of his life in complete obscurity."

2

The quality of being difficult to understand or lacking clarity in meaning or expression; something that is difficult to understand.

Example

"Scholars have long debated the deliberate obscurity of the poet's late verses."

3

The state of being dark, dim, or faintly visible.

Example

"Our eyes slowly adjusted to the shadowy obscurity of the ancient cavern."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for obscurity

• Nearby Words

obscure
obscurely
obscureness
obscurity
obsequious
obsequiously
observable

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French obscurité, from Latin obscuritatem ('darkness, indistinctness, uncertainty'), derived from the adjective obscurus ('dark, shadowy, covered').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Obscurity. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/obscurity
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