obscure

Describes something that is not well known, difficult to understand, or hidden from view.

ruОписывает что-то малоизвестное, трудное для понимания или скрытое от глаз.esDescribe algo poco conocido, difícil de entender o que está oculto a la vista.frDécrit quelque chose de peu connu, difficile à comprendre ou caché aux yeux.deBezeichnet etwas wenig Bekanntes, schwer Verständliches oder Verborgenes; auch eine dunkle, unklare Ausdrucksweise.ptDescreve algo pouco conhecido, difícil de entender ou escondido da vista.zh形容某事物鲜为人知、晦涩难懂，或隐藏而不易察觉。arيصف شيئًا قليل الشهرة أو صعب الفهم أو غير واضح المعالم، أو محجوبًا عن الأنظار.

1. Not well known B2 formal

   Not famous or widely known; little known.

   • He is an obscure poet from the 19th century.
   • The museum has a collection of obscure artifacts.
   • She specializes in obscure medieval texts.

   ruМалоизвестныйespoco conocidofrpeu connudeWenig bekanntptPouco conhecidozh鲜为人知的arقليل الشهرة

   Synonyme: anonymousinconsequentialinsignificantlittle-knownminornamelessundistinguishedunfamiliarunheard-ofunknownunnamedunsung

   Antonyme: celebrateddistinguishedeminentfamousillustriousnotedpopularprominentrenowned

2. Difficult to understand B2 formal

   Not clearly expressed or easily understood; vague or ambiguous.

   • The professor's explanation was obscure and confusing.
   • The meaning of the ancient inscription remains obscure.
   • His motives for the decision are obscure to everyone.

   ruНепонятныйesdifícil de entenderfrDifficile à comprendredeUnklarptObscurozh晦涩难懂arغامض

   Synonyme: abstruseambiguousbafflingconfusingcrypticenigmaticincomprehensiblemystifyingopaquepuzzlingreconditeunclearunfathomablevague

   Antonyme: apparentclearevidentexplicitintelligiblelucidobviousplainunambiguousunderstandable

3. Dark or dim C1 formal

   Lacking light; shadowy or dim.

   • The path led through an obscure forest.
   • The room was obscure, lit only by a single candle.
   • They sat in an obscure corner of the tavern.

   ruТёмныйesOscuro o tenuefrobscur (peu éclairé)deDunkelptEscurozh昏暗的arمُعْتِم

   Synonyme: darkdimduskyfaintgloomyindistinctmurkyshadowytenebrousunlit

   Antonyme: brightclearlightluminousradiant

• obscurer comparative form
• obscurest superlative form

A verb used to indicate the act of making something difficult to see, understand, or perceive; to hide or conceal.

ruГлагол, используемый для обозначения действия, делающего что-либо трудным для восприятия, понимания или обнаружения; скрывать или утаивать.esVerbo que significa hacer algo difícil de ver, entender o descubrir; ocultar o tapar algo para que no sea claro o evidente.frVerbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de rendre quelque chose difficile à percevoir, à comprendre ou à découvrir ; cacher ou voiler.deVerb, das beschreibt, etwas schwer wahrnehmbar, verständlich oder auffindbar zu machen; etwas verbergen, verhüllen oder verheimlichen; auch: in den Schatten stellen.ptVerbo usado para indicar a ação de tornar algo difícil de perceber, entender ou encontrar; encobrir ou esconder.zh动词，指使某事物难以被看见、理解或发现；遮蔽、掩盖或使模糊不清。arفعل يُستخدم للدلالة على جعل شيء ما صعب الإدراك أو الفهم أو الاكتشاف؛ أي حجبه أو إخفاؤه أو تعتيمه.

1. Make unclear or difficult to see B2 formal

   To hide or make something less visible or distinct.

   • The fog obscured the view of the mountains.
   • Tall buildings obscure the sunset from this street.
   • His glasses were obscured by steam from the hot coffee.

   ruЗатруднять видимостьesoscurecer, ocultarfrRendre difficile à voir ou à comprendredeUnkenntlich machenptDificultar a visibilidadezh使模糊不清arجعل الشيء غير واضح

   Synonyme: blockblurcamouflagecloudconcealcoverdimeclipsehidemaskobfuscatescreenshadeshroudveil

   Antonyme: clarifyexposeilluminaterevealshow

2. Make difficult to understand B2 formal

   To make something confusing or hard to comprehend.

   • The complex jargon obscured the true meaning of the document.
   • His long-winded explanation only obscured the main point.
   • The author's use of metaphors obscured the simple plot.

   ruЗатруднять пониманиеesDificultar la comprensiónfrRendre difficile à comprendredeUnverständlich machenptDificultar a compreensãozh使难以理解arجعل الشيء غامضًا

   Synonyme: becloudbefogblurcloudcomplicateconfusemuddyobfuscateperplexpuzzle

   Antonyme: clarifyelucidateexplainilluminatesimplify

• obscured past participle
• obscured past simple
• obscuring present participle
• obscures third person singular