Basic Details
Word: Obscure
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Not well-known or difficult to understand.
Synonyms: Unclear, hidden, unknown
Antonyms: Clear, obvious, well-known
Idioms and Phrases
- Obscure as mud: When something is very unclear or confusing. Example: "The teacher's explanation was obscure as mud, leaving the students even more puzzled."
- In the obscure: Refers to being in a state of confusion or secrecy. Example: "After the strange events, their motives remained in the obscure."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The book was filled with obscure references that only a few people understood.
Example 2: The artist's early works were quite obscure, but later gained a large following.
Example 3: The scientist published an obscure paper that introduced groundbreaking ideas, but no one noticed it at first.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "obscure" comes from the Latin word "obscurus," which means "dark" or "dim"? It has been used in English since the 15th century!
Famous Quote
"The greatest truths are the simplest, and the simplest truths are the most obscure." Benjamin Disraeli
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "obscure" mean?
a) Clear and easy to understand
b) Not well-known or hard to grasp
c) Bright and shiny
d) Quickly understood
Answer: b) Not well-known or hard to grasp
2. Which of these is a synonym of "obscure"?
a) Clear
b) Hidden
c) Famous
d) Bright
Answer: b) Hidden
3. Which word is an antonym of "obscure"?
a) Unknown
b) Clear
c) Confusing
d) Stealthy
Answer: b) Clear
4. Which sentence uses "obscure" correctly?
a) The obscure sunset was the best thing I’ve seen.
b) His speech was so obscure that nobody understood it.
c) The clear view from the mountain was obscure.
d) The flowers were obscure in the garden.
Answer: b) His speech was so obscure that nobody understood it.
5. Which idiom suggests confusion, like "obscure"?
a) As clear as day
b) In the obscure
c) All in a day's work
d) As bright as a button
Answer: b) In the obscure
