English · Word Candidate

obscure

/əbˈskjʊə(ɹ)/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: obscurer · obscurest · obscures · obscuring

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Dark, faint or indistinct.

Adjective

Examples

I found myself in an obscure wood.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Hidden, out of sight or inconspicuous.

Adjective

Examples

The obscure bird / Clamoured the livelong night.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious.

Verb

Examples

They are all couched in a pit hard by Herne's oak, with obscured lights.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To hide, put out of sight etc.

Verb

Examples

It has been little altered over the years save for the addition of a platform awning which rather obscures the arcaded entrance to the booking hall.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “obscure” mean?

Dark, faint or indistinct.

Is “obscure” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.