obvious

[ob-vee-uhs]

adjective

1. easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident.

   an obvious advantage.

   Synonyms: unmistakable, palpable, clear, manifest, plain
   Antonyms: hidden

2. lacking in subtlety.

3. Obsolete.,  being or standing in the way.

obvious

/ ˈɒbvɪəs /

adjective

1. easy to see or understand; evident

2. exhibiting motives, feelings, intentions, etc, clearly or without subtlety

3. naive or unsubtle

   the play was rather obvious

4. obsolete,  being or standing in the way

Other Word Forms

• obviously adverb
• obviousness noun
• nonobvious adjective
• nonobviously adverb
• nonobviousness noun
• overobvious adjective
• preobvious adjective
• preobviously adverb
• preobviousness noun
• unobvious adjective
• unobviously adverb
• unobviousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obvious¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin obvius “in the way, lying in the path,” equivalent to ob- ob- ( def. ) + vi(a) way ¹ ( def. ) + -us, adjective suffix ( -ous ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of obvious¹

C16: from Latin obvius, from obviam in the way, from ob- against + via way

Synonym Study

See apparent.

Example Sentences

More than 20 television series ran with Floyd at the helm, and one of the attractions was the obvious tension between him and his director.

From BBC

But, for the most part, our courts have frowned upon such obvious racism — though not always.

From Los Angeles Times

The obvious conclusion was to have Cherry purposefully murder Laura, but Wright pushed against that.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, the most obvious characteristic he shares with most past hosts, beyond a proven ability to make large numbers of people laugh, is that he is a man.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if the size difference isn't obvious, Crawford will feel the weight on fight night.

From BBC

Related Words

• accessible 
• clear 
• conspicuous 
• discernible 
• distinct 
• evident 
• glaring 
• indisputable 
• noticeable 
• overt 
• palpable 
• pronounced 
• recognizable www.thesaurus.com
• self-evident 
• straightforward 
• undeniable 
• unmistakable 
• visible