obvious
When something is obvious, it is very easy to see or understand without needing any extra explanation.
Explanation at your level:
When you see something very clearly, it is obvious. If the sun is out, it is obvious that it is daytime. You do not need to think hard about it. It is very easy to see.
Something is obvious if everyone can see it. For example, if it is raining, it is obvious that you need an umbrella. It is a very common word to describe things that are clear to everyone.
We use obvious when a fact is easy to understand or notice. It is often used in phrases like 'for obvious reasons.' If you are solving a problem and the answer is right there, you can say, 'The solution is obvious.'
Obvious describes things that are apparent without needing investigation. It can be used to show that a conclusion is logical and expected. However, be careful using it in professional settings, as it can imply that the listener should have known the information already.
Beyond its literal meaning, obvious can describe a lack of subtlety. In academic writing, you might describe a trend as 'obvious' to signal that the data supports a clear, undeniable conclusion. It functions as a strong rhetorical tool to establish common ground with the reader.
Etymologically, obvious carries the weight of its Latin roots, implying an obstruction to one's path. In literary contexts, it can describe a character's motives that are so transparent they become a flaw. Its usage requires nuance; while it denotes clarity, it can also suggest a lack of depth or complexity in the subject being discussed.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means clear or easy to see.
- Used as an adjective.
- Comes from Latin 'in the way'.
- Common in daily and formal speech.
When we say something is obvious, we mean it is staring us right in the face! Whether it is a physical object that is impossible to miss or a logical conclusion that anyone could reach, the word implies a lack of ambiguity.
Think of it as the clarity of a situation. If you walk into a room and see a giant elephant, its presence is obvious. If you make a mistake and everyone points it out, the error was obvious. It is a very useful word because it helps us describe things that are plain to see, saving us from having to explain the details.
The word obvious comes from the Latin word obvius, which literally means 'in the way' or 'meeting in the way.' It comes from ob- (against/towards) and via (way).
Historically, it meant something that was physically blocking your path, making it impossible to ignore. Over time, the meaning shifted from a physical object 'in the way' to an idea or fact that is 'in the way' of our understanding—meaning it is impossible to miss. It entered the English language in the late 16th century, retaining that sense of being right in front of you.
You will hear obvious used in both casual chats and formal reports. It is a neutral word, but be careful: calling something 'obvious' can sometimes sound a bit condescending if you are talking to someone who didn't see it!
Common phrases include 'the obvious choice' or 'for obvious reasons.' It is frequently used with verbs like 'seem' or 'become.' For example, 'It soon became obvious that we were lost.' Using it helps you emphasize that a point is settled and needs no further debate.
1. The elephant in the room: An obvious problem that everyone is ignoring. 2. State the obvious: To say something that everyone already knows. 3. Plain as day: Very clear and obvious. 4. Stick out like a sore thumb: Something that is obviously different or out of place. 5. Read between the lines: Finding meaning that is NOT obvious.
Pronounced OB-vee-us, the stress is on the first syllable. In the UK, the IPA is /ˈɒb.vi.əs/, while in the US it is /ˈɑːb.vi.əs/.
Grammatically, it is an adjective. You can use it before a noun (an obvious mistake) or as a subject complement (the answer is obvious). It is not a verb, so you cannot 'obvious' something. It rhymes with words like previous and devious.
Fun Fact
It originally meant something literally blocking your path!
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound like 'pot'.
Longer 'o' sound like 'father'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'v' sound
- Adding an extra syllable
- Stress on second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The obvious choice.
That-clauses
It is obvious that...
Subject complements
The answer is obvious.
Examples by Level
It is obvious that the sky is blue.
clear sky
adjective usage
The answer is obvious.
easy answer
subject complement
It is obvious he is happy.
clear emotion
that-clause
The big red ball is obvious.
easy to see
adjective
It is obvious that I am hungry.
clear need
that-clause
The door is obvious.
easy to find
adjective
The mistake was obvious.
clear error
past tense
It is obvious to me.
I see it
prepositional phrase
It was obvious that he was lying.
The choice was obvious to everyone.
She made the obvious decision.
The reason for his anger was obvious.
It is obvious that we need help.
The connection between the two is obvious.
His talent is obvious.
The path is obvious.
For obvious reasons, we had to cancel.
The benefits of the plan are obvious.
It became obvious that the project would fail.
There is an obvious difference in quality.
It is quite obvious what he wants.
The lack of effort was obvious.
She ignored the obvious signs.
The solution was the most obvious one.
The obvious lack of communication caused issues.
He made an obvious attempt to change the subject.
The flaws in his argument were obvious.
It is obvious that she has put a lot of work in.
The change in his behavior was obvious.
The obvious choice is to wait.
He stated the obvious again.
The irony was obvious to all.
The obviousness of his guilt was undeniable.
The conclusion is not as obvious as it seems.
The obvious implication is that we must act.
There is an obvious tension in the room.
His lack of enthusiasm was painfully obvious.
The obvious answer often hides the truth.
It is an obvious case of bias.
The obvious result of the policy was growth.
The obvious nature of the error suggests negligence.
His obvious disdain for the rules was clear.
The obviousness of the solution belies the complexity.
It is an obvious attempt to manipulate the narrative.
The obvious irony was lost on him.
Such obvious disregard for protocol is rare.
The obvious choice is rarely the easiest.
The obviousness of the outcome was predicted.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"state the obvious"
to say something everyone knows
He stood up to state the obvious.
neutral"plain as day"
very clear
It was plain as day that he was lying.
casual"the elephant in the room"
an obvious problem ignored
We ignored the elephant in the room.
neutral"not rocket science"
not difficult to understand
It's not rocket science, just follow the steps.
casual"see the writing on the wall"
to see an obvious bad outcome coming
He saw the writing on the wall and quit.
literaryEasily Confused
Sounds a bit similar
Obscure means hidden/hard to understand
The meaning was obscure.
Similar meaning
Evident usually implies proof
It was evident from the data.
Similar meaning
Apparent can sometimes mean 'seeming' but not true
The apparent reason was false.
Similar meaning
Overt means done openly
An overt gesture.
Sentence Patterns
It is obvious that [clause]
It is obvious that he is late.
The [noun] is obvious
The choice is obvious.
For obvious reasons, [clause]
For obvious reasons, we left.
It became obvious to [person] that [clause]
It became obvious to them that we knew.
The obvious [noun] is [noun]
The obvious answer is yes.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Obvious is an absolute adjective; adding 'very' is often redundant.
Redundant. Just say 'It is obvious'.
Incorrect spelling.
Often confused with 'obvious'. Use 'obvious' for things, 'obviousness' for the quality.
Incorrect word order.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine an 'OB' block in your way.
When Native Speakers Use It
To agree with a point.
Cultural Insight
Don't use it to insult intelligence.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follows 'is' or 'are'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'vee' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use as a verb.
Did You Know?
It means 'in the way'.
Study Smart
Use it in your daily journal.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
OB-V-I-OUS: Only Big Visions In Our Sight.
Visual Association
A giant neon sign pointing at something.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to spot three obvious things in your room right now.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: In the way
Cultural Context
Can sound rude if you tell someone 'that is obvious' as they might feel stupid.
Used frequently in business and casual talk.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- The obvious solution
- For obvious reasons
- The obvious choice
School
- The answer is obvious
- It is obvious that...
- The obvious mistake
Travel
- The obvious path
- The obvious sign
- The obvious destination
Daily Life
- It is obvious
- That's obvious
- For obvious reasons
Conversation Starters
"What is the most obvious thing about your city?"
"Do you think it's ever rude to state the obvious?"
"Can you think of an obvious solution to a problem you had?"
"Is it always obvious when someone is lying?"
"What is an obvious sign of a good friend?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time when the answer was obvious.
Write about an obvious mistake you once made.
Why do people sometimes ignore the obvious?
Is it better to be obvious or subtle?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adjective.
You can, but it is often redundant.
Obviously.
It is used in all registers.
No, it is the opposite.
OB-vee-us.
Yes, very common.
Yes, e.g., 'his talent is obvious'.
Test Yourself
The sky is blue, that is ___.
It is a clear fact.
What does obvious mean?
Obvious means clear.
If something is obvious, you need to study it for hours.
It requires little thought.
Word
Meaning
Synonyms and antonyms.
The answer is obvious.
Score: /5
Summary
If something is obvious, it is right in front of you and needs no explanation.
- Means clear or easy to see.
- Used as an adjective.
- Comes from Latin 'in the way'.
- Common in daily and formal speech.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine an 'OB' block in your way.
When Native Speakers Use It
To agree with a point.
Cultural Insight
Don't use it to insult intelligence.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follows 'is' or 'are'.
Example
It was obvious from her smile that she had passed the exam.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More Language words
abbreviate
C1To shorten a word, phrase, or text by omitting letters or using only the first letters of the constituent parts. This is primarily done to save space, increase efficiency, or adhere to specific formatting conventions in writing.
ablative
B2A grammatical case used in certain languages, such as Latin, to indicate movement away from, the source, or the instrument of an action. In English, these meanings are typically expressed using prepositions like 'from', 'with', or 'by' rather than specific noun endings.
abphonure
C1A technical term in linguistics and phonetics referring to the intentional or accidental distortion of speech sounds, leading to a loss of phonetic clarity or a shift in meaning. It is often used to describe the degradation of sound quality in specific acoustic environments or the stylistic blurring of words in poetry and song.
abregous
C1To summarize or condense a complex argument, document, or process into its most essential components. This verb is typically used when the goal is to provide clarity or speed up decision-making without losing the core meaning.
abridge
C1To shorten a piece of writing, such as a book, play, or speech, by omitting sections while maintaining the essential meaning. It can also refer to the act of reducing or curtailing rights, privileges, or authority.
accentuation
B2The act of emphasizing something or making it more prominent and noticeable to the observer. It also refers to the placement of marks or stress on specific syllables in linguistics to indicate correct pronunciation.
acerbic
C1Describes a style of speaking or writing that is sharp, biting, and forthright, often characterized by clever but cruel wit. It is typically used to critique someone or something in a way that is both intellectually sharp and emotionally harsh.
acrimonious
C1Describes a speech, relationship, or atmosphere that is full of anger, bitterness, and resentment. It is typically used to characterize long-standing disputes or heated arguments where personal insults or harsh language are involved.
acronym
B2A word formed from the initial letters of a name or phrase, which is pronounced as a single word rather than as individual letters. For example, NASA is an acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
adage
C1An adage is a short, traditional saying that expresses a general truth or a piece of advice based on common experience. It is often a well-known proverb that has gained credibility through long-term usage within a culture.
