unobtrusive

[uhn-uhb-troo-siv]

adjective

1. not obtrusive; inconspicuous, unassertive, or reticent.

unobtrusive

/ ˌʌnəbˈtruːsɪv /

adjective

1. not noticeable or conspicuous

Other Word Forms

• unobtrusively adverb
• unobtrusiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unobtrusive¹

First recorded in 1735–45; un- ¹ + obtrusive

Example Sentences

Contemporary battlefield sketches, grand post-war history paintings, elegant portraits of the major military and political figures, along with watercolor illustrations and unobtrusive live-action recreations bring the tale to life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She won gold in the Wellness category at the Stoperiet Open bodybuilding competition in April - a category which places special emphasis on natural fitness, healthy appearance and unobtrusive beauty, rather than large muscle mass.

Read more on BBC

Watch her three short films — “Medusa,” “Hannahs” and “If Found,” all available on YouTube — and you’ll glimpse the unobtrusive, observant style she brings to “Good One,” which captures the still-festering male rivalry between middle-aged friends.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nazi concentration-camp guards used to enjoy unobtrusive second acts by embedding themselves into American middle-class communities.

Read more on Salon

On the sixth day, we realised no safe place remained in Kigali so we joined the exodus - trying to be as unobtrusive as possible at the roadblocks manned by machete-wielding militia men.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• inconspicuous 
• low-key 
• restrained 
• self-effacing 
• subdued 
• unassuming 
• unpretentious