obvious

[ob-vee-uhs]

adjective

1. easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident.

   an obvious advantage.

   Synonyms: unmistakable, palpable, clear, manifest, plain
   Antonyms: hidden

2. lacking in subtlety.

3. Obsolete.,  being or standing in the way.

obvious

/ ˈɒbvɪəs /

adjective

1. easy to see or understand; evident

2. exhibiting motives, feelings, intentions, etc, clearly or without subtlety

3. naive or unsubtle

   the play was rather obvious

4. obsolete,  being or standing in the way

Other Word Forms

• obviously adverb
• obviousness noun
• nonobvious adjective
• nonobviously adverb
• nonobviousness noun
• overobvious adjective
• preobvious adjective
• preobviously adverb
• preobviousness noun
• unobvious adjective
• unobviously adverb
• unobviousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obvious¹

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. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of obvious¹

C16: from Latin obvius, from obviam in the way, from ob- against + via way

Synonym Study

See apparent.

Example Sentences

It will be obvious Saturday night, when the series begins at what will be a raucous Citizens Bank Park.

From Los Angeles Times

Compared to his experiences in Memphis and Sacramento, it is obvious the Lakers brand stretches globally.

From Los Angeles Times

A pair of tragedies wind together like vines, although from the dog’s point of view, the distinction between them isn’t always obvious.

From Los Angeles Times

That would be a concession that could, in the end, boost their own electoral prospects and defuse an obvious line of Democratic attack in next year's midterm elections.

From BBC

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it was obvious Germany had long been "indirectly involved" in the war in Ukraine and he rejected "unfounded accusations" of Russian involvement in last week's disruption in Denmark.

From BBC

Related Words

• accessible 
• clear 
• conspicuous 
• discernible 
• distinct 
• evident 
• glaring 
• indisputable 
• noticeable 
• overt 
• palpable 
• pronounced 
• recognizable www.thesaurus.com
• self-evident 
• straightforward 
• undeniable 
• unmistakable 
• visible