adjective
-
easy to see or understand; evident
-
exhibiting motives, feelings, intentions, etc, clearly or without subtlety
-
naive or unsubtle
the play was rather obvious
-
obsolete being or standing in the way
Related Words
See apparent.
Other Word Forms
- nonobvious adjective
- nonobviously adverb
- nonobviousness noun
- obviously adverb
- obviousness noun
- overobvious adjective
- preobvious adjective
- preobviously adverb
- preobviousness noun
- unobvious adjective
- unobviously adverb
- unobviousness noun
Etymology
Origin of obvious
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin obvius “in the way, lying in the path,” equivalent to ob- ob- ( def. ) + vi(a) way 1 ( def. ) + -us, adjective suffix ( -ous ( def. ) )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The reforms Germany needs have been obvious for years.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Given Conway's lack of impact on the left flank and Curtis' lack of minutes, Ben Gannon-Doak's importance to the national team became increasingly obvious.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
“This is an obvious area of debate for investors and one where both sides have very pointed views,” Muse wrote.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
But from today’s vantage point, it seems obvious that the movement changed society for the far better.
From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026
Solemn spirit messages were printed alongside obvious spirit jokes.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
