Meaning & use
unobtrusively
Last updated
UK/ˌʌnəbˈtruːsɪvli/
US/ˌʌnəbˈtrusɪvli/
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
In a quiet way that does not attract attention or disturb anyone.
Grammar: Usually comes after a verb or between a helping verb and main verb: he left unobtrusively.
Patterns
- move unobtrusively
- work unobtrusively
The waiter refilled our glasses unobtrusively.
She slipped unobtrusively into the back of the hall.
Security guards watched unobtrusively from the corners of the room.
Word forms
| comparative | more unobtrusively |
|---|---|
| superlative | most unobtrusively |
Common combinations
- move unobtrusively
- The photographer moved unobtrusively around the room.
- work unobtrusively
- The cleaners worked unobtrusively during the meeting.
- slip away unobtrusively
- He slipped away unobtrusively before the speeches.
- unobtrusively placed
- The cameras were unobtrusively placed in the corners.
Synonyms and how they differ
- discreetly
- Adds the idea of being careful to protect privacy or avoid embarrassment.
- quietly
- More general and may refer only to sound, not to avoiding notice.
- inconspicuously
- Stresses not being noticeable by sight, especially for people or objects.
Opposites
Word family
- unobtrusive adjective
- not noticeable or disturbing
- obtrusive adjective
- noticeable in an unwelcome way
- unobtrusiveness noun
- the quality of being unobtrusive
Practice
The interpreter whispered ___ so that the speaker was not interrupted.
Choose one answer.
Unobtrusively means without drawing attention, which fits a whisper that does not interrupt. The other adverbs would attract attention.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unobtrusively”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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