unobtrusive

[ uhn-uhb-troo-siv ]

adjective

1. not obtrusive; inconspicuous, unassertive, or reticent.

unobtrusive

/ ˌʌnəbˈtruːsɪv /

adjective

1. not noticeable or conspicuous

Derived Forms

• ˌunobˈtrusively, adverb

Other Words From

• unob·trusive·ly adverb
• unob·tru·sive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unobtrusive¹

First recorded in 1735–45; un- ¹ + obtrusive

Example Sentences

Watch her three short films — “Medusa,” “Hannahs” and “If Found,” all available on YouTube — and you’ll glimpse the unobtrusive, observant style she brings to “Good One,” which captures the still-festering male rivalry between middle-aged friends.

From Los Angeles Times

Nazi concentration-camp guards used to enjoy unobtrusive second acts by embedding themselves into American middle-class communities.

From Salon

On the sixth day, we realised no safe place remained in Kigali so we joined the exodus - trying to be as unobtrusive as possible at the roadblocks manned by machete-wielding militia men.

From BBC

Kwak, poised and graceful, lent a surprising calm to the show, unobtrusive when needed and expressive when called for.

From Seattle Times

Nursing, engineering and neuropsychology researchers at Florida Atlantic University are testing and evaluating a readily and rapidly available, unobtrusive in-vehicle sensing system they have developed.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• inconspicuous
• low-key
• restrained
• self-effacing
• subdued
• unassuming
• unpretentious