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 of obscurity

• ambiguity
• ambiguousness
• mysteriousness

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

There is no longer much question as to whether Platner is suitable for public office, and even less question as to whether plucking him from political obscurity made any sense. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

The short version is that after defeating the Kilrathi at the climax of Wing Commander 3, Mark Hamill’s Christopher Blair retires to a backwater world to live out a life in peace and obscurity. — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026

He had been dressed as a woman among the king’s daughters in order to avoid participating in the Trojan War and ultimately his fate to die a young heroic death, as opposed to a long life of obscurity. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026

Intruders prefer empty homes, visual obscurity, silence, easy entry and quick exits. — Kevin Brasler, Washington Post, 2 July 2026

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

Rhymes for obscurity

• impurity
• maturity
• security
• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• purity
• surety

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