obvious

[ ob-vee-uhs ]

adjective

1. easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident:

   an obvious advantage.

   Synonyms: unmistakable, palpable, clear, manifest, plain

   Antonyms: hidden

2. lacking in subtlety.
3. Obsolete. being or standing in the way.

obvious

/ ˈɒbvɪəs /

adjective

1. easy to see or understand; evident
2. exhibiting motives, feelings, intentions, etc, clearly or without subtlety
3. naive or unsubtle

   the play was rather obvious

4. obsolete.
   being or standing in the way

Derived Forms

• ˈobviousness, noun

Other Words From

• obvi·ous·ly adverb
• obvi·ous·ness noun
• non·obvi·ous adjective
• non·obvi·ous·ly adverb
• non·obvi·ous·ness noun
• over·obvi·ous adjective
• pre·obvi·ous adjective
• pre·obvi·ous·ly adverb
• pre·obvi·ous·ness noun
• un·obvi·ous adjective
• un·obvi·ous·ly adverb
• un·obvi·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obvious¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin obvius “in the way, lying in the path,” equivalent to ob- ob- ( def ) + vi(a) way ¹( def ) + -us, adjective suffix ( -ous ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of obvious¹

C16: from Latin obvius, from obviam in the way, from ob- against + via way

Synonym Study

See apparent.

Example Sentences

Despite this seemingly obvious connection between emotional regulation and breathing, previous studies had only thoroughly explored subconscious breathing mechanisms in the brainstem.

From Science Daily

It does seem inevitable Guardiola will manage at international level one day – and if Spain is not an obvious move because of his stance on Catalan independence, England is an option.

From BBC

"I think that there has been frustration, that's obvious and I think everybody has been frustrated about how long this has gone on."

From BBC

That being herself would become her biggest role yet wasn’t obvious at first.

From Los Angeles Times

That mix of techniques has obvious advantages, better preparing communities for unpredictable resources and increasing demand.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• accessible
• clear
• conspicuous
• discernible
• distinct
• evident
• glaring
• indisputable
• noticeable
• overt
• palpable
• pronounced
• recognizable
• self-evident
• straightforward
• undeniable
• unmistakable
• visible