adjective, ob·scur·er, ob·scur·est.
verb (used with object), ob·scured, ob·scur·ing.
SYNONYMS FOR obscure
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Origin of obscure
historical usage of obscure
The verb obscure may simply derive from the English adjective by functional shift (a change in the grammatical function of a word). Alternatively, the verb may derive from Middle French obscurer “to make or become dark” or from Latin obscūrāre “to cover, obscure, overshadow, conceal,” a verb derived from obscūrus.
The unrecorded Latin adjective scūrus comes from the Proto-Indo-European root (s)keu-, (s)kū- (with variants) “to cover, envelop” ( scūrus therefore means “covered over”). In Germanic the variant skeu- forms the base of the noun skeujam “cloud cover, cloud,” becoming skȳ “cloud” in Old Norse, which is the immediate source of English sky (a 13th-century borrowing). The variant skū- forms the noun skūmaz “scum” (because it covers the water), which becomes scum in English.
OTHER WORDS FROM obscure
Words nearby obscure
Example sentences from the Web for obscure
For me, the real gems are value-packed, reasonably priced wines from unheralded regions or from obscure grape varieties.This $14 Italian red is a gem that invites a pairing with a pot roast or pasta|Dave McIntyre|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
State prosecutors allege that Salsman took efforts to obscure his actions from his legal staff.
Nevertheless, before too much of 2021 passes by, it’s time to name the Top 10 anniversaries worthy of celebration this year — some obscure, some fairly famous, and one that had an unfair advantage helping to make it No.
If last week’s stock market frenzy surrounding GameStop had any public value, it might be that it served as an introduction for many to the once-obscure concept of shorting stocks.
This adaptibility means the algorithm is less likely to break as the world throws new or noisy information its way—like, for example, when rain obscures an autonomous car’s camera.New ‘Liquid’ AI Learns Continuously From Its Experience of the World|Jason Dorrier|January 31, 2021|Singularity Hub
And too much of a focus on numbers can obscure strategic truths.Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the authority of his name far exceeds that of our own, famous or obscure though we be.
Astrology and black magic are forbidden in Islam; not an obscure point and one that Monis likely knew.
Whether it was actual ignorance, senility, or some obscure test, it's hard to know.
He can barely speak the titles, but manages to let Viridiana and That Obscure Object of Desire pass from his lips.
When we got to the house we entered an obscure corridor and began to find our way up a dark and narrow staircase.Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Disillusionment cut him to the quick, but had no power to obscure his rosy views of human nature.The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
He was recalled, and again moved, in calm triumph, from his obscure chambers to the regal palace of the minister.Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
It was an hour later that Black Hood came to an obscure little jewelry shop known simply as "Tauber's."
Like a clarion call the note rings in my ears, amidst the din of contending views and obscure phraseology.Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman