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

The fact that celebrity landed upon him, plucking him from the obscurity of his mission to represent the burgeoning discourse on the disease, says more about the world that orbited him than his actions on the island or his own political nous. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

In the meantime, Indiana mined a diamond out of a pile of obscurity. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

But while Giger achieved international fame, Ruppert shunned the spotlight and gradually faded into obscurity. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

For much of her adult life, poet Mary Oliver pursued her métier in relative obscurity, publishing well respected if modestly selling volumes of her work. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 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