obvious

adjective ob·vi·ous \ ˈäb-vē-əs \

Definition of obvious

1 archaic :being in the way or in front

2 :easily discovered, seen, or understood

It was obvious that things weren't working out.

She stayed for obvious reasons.

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obviousness

noun

See obvious defined for English-language learners

See obvious defined for kids

Examples of obvious in a Sentence

Her doctor immediately noticed the obvious signs of the disease.
She saw only the most obvious differences.
It was obvious that things weren't working out.
The answer seems obvious enough to me.
The problem was immediately obvious to everyone in the room.
He was the obvious candidate for president.
The obvious question is: how did he become so successful?
For obvious reasons, I would not like to reveal my name.

Recent Examples of obvious from the Web

August 30, 2017 —The challenge inherent in writing popular science books for a mainstream audience is obvious.

— steve donoghue, The Christian Science Monitor, "3 science books compellling enough to speak to all readers," 30 Aug. 2017
But a troubling trend is obvious in results released Tuesday: That progress is overshadowed by declines nearly across the board in reading and writing, as well as continued struggles in science.

— lori higgins, Detroit Free Press, "M-STEP results in Michigan: Troubling trend revealed," 29 Aug. 2017
Rauner’s hesitance to back the bill has been obvious.

— Washington Post, "Governor signs law limiting Illinois police on immigration," 28 Aug. 2017
In addition to the obvious causes such as trauma or grief, other factors can also trigger symptoms, including certain illnesses, poor sleep, even changes in the weather.

— Health.com, "Depressed? Type "Depression" Into Google for a New Quiz to Help Beat It," 23 Aug. 2017
But is there another meaning hiding behind the obvious?

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Game of Thrones: The Explosive Reveal Possibly Hiding in the New Finale Title," 22 Aug. 2017
The obvious question when musicians mention obscure brands is, are they getting paid?

— jaclyn gallucci, Fortune, "How Taking Down Confederate Monuments Just Covers Up a Larger Problem," 19 Aug. 2017
What’s not obvious, though, is whether the impact of these innovations on the job market will be much bigger than the massive impact of technological improvements in the past.

— james surowiecki, WIRED, "Chill: Robots Won’t Take All Our Jobs," 18 Aug. 2017
The idea seems obvious, but putting the disciplines together is rare.

— julia herbst, Los Angeles Magazine, "11 Women Who Are Making L.A. a Better Place," 17 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obvious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of obvious

Latin obvius, from obviam in the way, from ob in the way of + viam, accusative of via way — more at ob-, via

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First Known Use: 1583

See Words from the same year

obvious Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of obvious

evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent, plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended. evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

- an evident fondness for sweets

manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

- manifest hostility

patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

- patent defects

distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

- a distinct refusal

obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

- the obvious solution

apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

- for no apparent reason

plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

- her feelings about him are plain

clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

- a clear explanation

OBVIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

obvious

adjective

Definition of obvious for English Language Learners

: easy to see or notice
: easy for the mind to understand or recognize

OBVIOUS Defined for Kids

obvious

adjective ob·vi·ous \ ˈäb-vē-əs \

Definition of obvious for Students

:easily found, seen, or understood

He … held on to me, even after it was obvious that I was not going to fall.
—Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons

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obviously

adverb

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obviousness

noun

Law Dictionary

obvious

adjective ob·vi·ous

legal Definition of obvious

:easily seen, discovered, or understood; specifically :readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in a particular art considering the scope and content of the prior art — see also patent

Note: An invention that is found to be obvious cannot be patented.

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