Meaning & use
obvious
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
So easy to notice or understand that almost no explanation is needed.
Grammar: Can come before a noun or after a linking verb; graded with more/most rather than obviouser.
Patterns
- obvious to someone
- obvious that
- It is obvious why
The answer was obvious once she explained it.
There was an obvious mistake in the total.
It is obvious that they need more time.
Word forms
| comparative | more obvious |
|---|---|
| superlative | most obvious |
Common combinations
- perfectly obvious
- It was perfectly obvious that he had not slept.
- obvious choice
- For dry weather, sandals were the obvious choice.
- obvious reason
- She left early for the obvious reason: she was ill.
- state the obvious
- Forgive me for stating the obvious, but save your work often.
Synonyms and how they differ
- clear
- Clear means easy to understand, but may still require some thought; obvious needs almost no effort.
- evident
- More formal and often based on signs or evidence.
- apparent
- Can mean seeming true rather than certainly true; obvious is stronger.
- plain
- Similar to clear, but plain often describes simple language or facts.
Opposites
Word family
- obviously adverb
- In a way that is easy to see or understand.
- obviousness noun
- The quality of being easy to notice or understand.
Commonly confused: obvious or obnoxious? obvious or oblivious?
obvious vs obnoxious
Obvious means easy to see; obnoxious means very unpleasant or offensive.
obvious vs oblivious
Oblivious means not noticing; obvious describes what anyone would notice.
Practice
Choose the best completion: After the storm, the damage was ___.
Choose one answer.
Damage can be obvious to people, meaning easy for them to notice. The other phrases are not natural completions for obvious.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “obvious”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.