obscurity

[ uhb-skyoor-i-tee ]

noun

, plural ob·scu·ri·ties.

1. the state or quality of being obscure.
2. the condition of being unknown:

   He lived in obscurity for years before winning acclaim.

3. uncertainty of meaning or expression; ambiguity.
4. an unknown or unimportant person or thing.
5. darkness; dimness; indistinctness.

obscurity

/ əbˈskjʊərɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being obscure
2. an obscure person or thing

Other Words From

• nonob·scuri·ty noun plural nonobscurities

Word History and Origins

Origin of obscurity¹

1470–80; late Middle English < Middle French obscurite < Latin obscūritās, equivalent to obscūr ( us ) obscure + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

When Gaitonde died in 2001 at the age of 77, his death went widely unreported as the artist lived his last years in obscurity.

From BBC

Griffin’s reluctance to shuffle into obscurity has certainly angered her dissenters, but the gaudy display of political extremism outside the show only excited Griffin’s fans, who rumbled about whether the comedian would address the nonsense on stage.

From Salon

Still, the incident helped Papadopoulos rise from obscurity: He served just 12 days in prison in 2018 but was happy to publish a book with the grandiose title Deep State Target: How I Got Caught in the Crosshairs of the Plot to Bring Down President Trump.

From Slate

It's the "deep, emotional connection" between Deportivo La Coruna and a passionate fanbase that stuck with the club through the highs, when they won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, and the lows, when Spanish football obscurity beckoned.

From BBC

“The most rewarding part of this job is taking someone, and watching them go from obscurity to really finding their voice and taking the opportunity and soaring. Heather is an amazing example of that,” says executive producer Lisa Shannon.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• darkness