obscure

• Bezeichnet etwas wenig Bekanntes, schwer Verständliches oder Verborgenes; auch eine dunkle, unklare Ausdrucksweise.

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

1. Not well knownB2formal

   Not famous or widely known; little known.

   Wenig bekannt

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

   Synonymeanonymousinconsequentialinsignificantlittle-knownminornamelessundistinguishedunfamiliarunheard-ofunknownunnamedunsung

   Antonymecelebrateddistinguishedeminentfamousillustriousnotedpopularprominentrenowned

2. Difficult to understandB2formal

   Not clearly expressed or easily understood; vague or ambiguous.

   Unklar

   • 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.

   Synonymeabstruseambiguousbafflingconfusingcrypticenigmaticincomprehensiblemystifyingopaquepuzzlingreconditeunclearunfathomablevague

   Antonymeapparentclearevidentexplicitintelligiblelucidobviousplainunambiguousunderstandable

3. Dark or dimC1formal

   Lacking light; shadowy or dim.

   Dunkel

   • 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.

   Synonymedarkdimduskyfaintgloomyindistinctmurkyshadowytenebrousunlit

   Antonymebrightclearlightluminousradiant

• Verb, das beschreibt, etwas schwer wahrnehmbar, verständlich oder auffindbar zu machen; etwas verbergen, verhüllen oder verheimlichen; auch: in den Schatten stellen.

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

1. Make unclear or difficult to seeB2formal

   To hide or make something less visible or distinct.

   Unkenntlich machen

   • 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.

   Synonymeblockblurcamouflagecloudconcealcoverdimeclipsehidemaskobfuscatescreenshadeshroudveil

   Antonymeclarifyexposeilluminaterevealshow

2. Make difficult to understandB2formal

   To make something confusing or hard to comprehend.

   Unverständlich machen

   • 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.

   Synonymebecloudbefogblurcloudcomplicateconfusemuddyobfuscateperplexpuzzle

   Antonymeclarifyelucidateexplainilluminatesimplify