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

New York — Three prominent investors with almost nothing in common are dumping their shares of Nvidia, the computer chip juggernaut that went from relative obscurity to the world’s first $5 trillion valuation in just three years. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 18 Nov. 2025

The embrace of YouTube continued when Noah was plucked from semi-obscurity (at least in the eyes of the traditional entertainment world) by Jon Stewart and installed as his successor at The Daily Show in 2015. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025

Gascón rose from relative obscurity to Oscar nominee alongside two of the biggest stars in the world — Gomez and Zoe Saldaña — in the award-winning musical from French director Jacques Audiard. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025

Since joining the Athenaeum 28 years ago, Peterson has seen vinyl records fade into obscurity and then experience a revival. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025

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