1ob·scure 
/ɑbˈskjɚ/ adjective
/ɑbˈskjɚ/ adjective [more obscure; most obscure] 1 : not well-known : not known to most people
▪ obscure books/titles ▪ a little antique shop in an obscure [=out-of-the-way] corner of the city 2 a : difficult to understand : likely to be understood by only a few people
▪ The movie is full of obscure references that only pop culture enthusiasts will understand.
b : difficult or impossible to know completely and with certainty
▪ The origins of the language are obscure.
▪ obscure books/titles ▪ a little antique shop in an obscure [=out-of-the-way] corner of the city
▪ The movie is full of obscure references that only pop culture enthusiasts will understand.
b : difficult or impossible to know completely and with certainty
▪ The origins of the language are obscure.
— ob·scure·ly adverb
▪ an obscurely titled book
▪ an obscurely titled book
synonyms obscure, vague, and ambiguous mean not clearly understandable. obscure often suggests a meaning that cannot be easily understood because it has not been clearly expressed or because special knowledge is needed.
▪ an obscure poem vague suggests something that cannot be described clearly. ▪ She felt a vague sense of obligation. It can also describe something that is difficult to understand because it is not specific. ▪ vague instructions ambiguous describes language that can be understood in more than one way. ▪ an ambiguous statement
▪ an obscure poem vague suggests something that cannot be described clearly. ▪ She felt a vague sense of obligation. It can also describe something that is difficult to understand because it is not specific. ▪ vague instructions ambiguous describes language that can be understood in more than one way. ▪ an ambiguous statement
