1
: easy to see or notice
Her doctor immediately noticed the obvious signs of the disease.
She saw only the most obvious differences.
2
: easy for the mind to understand or recognize
It was obvious that things weren't working out.
Her reasons for leaving were obvious. = It's obvious why she left.
The answer seems obvious enough to me.
The problem was immediately obvious to everyone in the room.
He was the obvious candidate/choice for president.
The obvious question is: how did he become so successful?
For obvious reasons, I would not like to reveal my name.
Cite this Entry
“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/obvious. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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