obviously
Britishadverb
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in a way that is easy to see or understand; evidently
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without subtlety
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(sentence modifier) it is obvious that; clearly
obviously not everyone wants a bank account
Explanation
Something obviously true is clearly, totally, unmistakably true. There's just no doubt about it. Obviously is a word people use when they are sure of something and sure that it's plainly clear to others. When you get presents on your birthday, you're obviously happy. Dogs obviously like to chase squirrels. The sky is obviously blue. People also use this word when they're being mean or sarcastic. If you didn't know who walked on the moon, a friend might say, "Obviously, it was Neil Armstrong!"
Vocabulary lists containing obviously
Holes
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Novel Study: The Crucible, Act 2
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Frindle
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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.
Obviously, you give with an open heart because you love your daughter and granddaughter, not because you expect anything in return above and beyond appreciation and maybe a thank-you.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026
Obviously, we talk about what we could improve and what we could tweak.
From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026
Obviously, I've got a really incredible team-mate next to me, who week in, week out is delivering some pretty spectacular performances.
From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026
Obviously we didn’t anticipate the level of geopolitical uncertainty that there is today.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026
Obviously he'd decided not to share the front page of the Malvern Gazetteer.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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.
