Meaning & Definition
verb
To keep from being seen; conceal.
The tall buildings obscure the view of the mountains.
To make unclear or difficult to understand.
The legal jargon served to obscure the true meaning of the contract.
adjective
Not clearly expressed or easily understood; ambiguous.
The professor's lecture was so obscure that many students left the class confused.
Not discovered or known about; uncertain.
The origins of the ancient artifact are still obscure to researchers.
Little known or not well known.
He was an obscure author until his novel became a bestseller.
Etymology
Middle English: from Latin obscurus, meaning 'dark, unclear'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
obscure reference:
A mention of something unknown or not commonly recognized.
obscure origins:
Unclear or unknown beginnings or sources.
to obscure the truth:
To hide or make the truth unclear.
Slang Meanings
Overlooked or not popular.
That band is really obscure, but they have great music.
Hard to find or access.
The information is pretty obscure; I had to dig deep to find it.