Definition of "obscure" in English

adjective

1. Dark, faint or indistinct.

   • I found myself in an obscure wood.

2. Hidden, out of sight or inconspicuous.

3. Difficult to understand; abstruse.

   • an obscure passage or inscription; The speaker made obscure references to little-known literary works.

4. Not well-known.

5. Unknown or uncertain; unclear.

   • The etymological roots of the word "blizzard" are obscure and open to debate.

verb

1. (transitive) 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.

   • c. 1688', William Wake, Preparation for Death There is scarce any duty which has been so obscured in the writings of learned men as this.

2. (transitive) To hide, put out of sight etc.

3. (intransitive, obsolete) To conceal oneself; to hide.