obscurity

noun

ob·​scu·​ri·​ty äb-ˈskyu̇r-ə-tē 

əb-

plural obscurities

1

: one that is obscure

… peppered with quotes from … heavy hitters, as well as some downright obscurities.

—Penelope Green

2

: the quality or state of being obscure

novels that have faded into obscurity

Synonyms

• ambiguity
• ambiguousness
• darkness
• equivocalness
• equivocation
• inscrutability
• inscrutableness
• murkiness
• mysteriousness
• nebulosity
• nebulousness
• obliqueness
• obliquity
• opacity
• opaqueness

Examples of obscurity in a Sentence

In recent years, the tradition has emerged from obscurity.

He has been living in relative obscurity in a small town in the mountains.

After a promising first novel, she faded into obscurity.

Recent Examples on the Web

But all good things come to an end; the family-run outfit eventually faded into obscurity. —Adam Cheung, Glamour, 28 Nov. 2024

Of course, the Celtics went on to win their 17th NBA championship while the Nets missed the playoffs, faded further into obscurity and had no first-round pick to show for it. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 9 Nov. 2024

The Top 10 Richest People In The World (November 2024) Normally, a joke like this gets a surge of initial attention before fading into obscurity. —Sandy Carter, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Once the elections are over, some of those names fade into obscurity whereas others become inscribed in history. —Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obscurite, borrowed from Anglo-French oscurté, obscurité, borrowed from Latin obscūritāt-, obscūritās, from obscūrus "dim, dark, imperfectly known, concealed from knowledge, incomprehensible" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obscure entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

obscurity

noun

ob·​scu·​ri·​ty äb-ˈskyu̇r-ət-ē 

əb-

plural obscurities

1

: something that is obscure

2

: the quality or state of being obscure