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Obtuse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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obtuse

ob-tuse

🇺🇸 /ɑbˈtus/ · 🇬🇧 /ɒbtjˈuːs/

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

geometry

Not sharp-angled; blunt. Having an angle greater than 90 degrees. Lacking in quickness of perception or intellect.

Synonyms

blunt, dull, slow-witted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obtuse

Used to describe someone who is slow to understand or not sharp in perception. Often considered slightly formal and can be used in both everyday and professional contexts.

  • He was being deliberately obtuse, pretending he didn't understand her sarcasm.
  • The instructions were clear, but he remained obtuse and couldn't follow them.
blunt

Typically used when talking about an object that is not sharp. It can also refer to a person who speaks in a very direct or insensitive way, often perceived as rude.

  • The knife was too blunt to cut through the meat.
  • Her blunt criticism hurt his feelings.
dull

Used to describe an object that is not sharp or something that is not interesting or lively. It can also refer to a person who lacks sharpness in intelligence.

  • The scissors are too dull to cut the paper.
  • The lecture was so dull that many students fell asleep.
  • He was a dull student, rarely contributing to class discussions.
slow-witted

Refers to a person who is slow in understanding or thinking. It typically has a negative connotation and is often used in informal settings.

  • She is kind, but a bit slow-witted when it comes to solving puzzles.
  • His colleagues find him slow-witted, especially during meetings.

Examples of usage

  • An obtuse angle measures more than 90 degrees.
  • The obtuse student struggled to understand the complex concept.
  • She was criticized for her obtuse remarks during the meeting.
Context #2 | Adjective

general

Not sharp, pointed, or acute in form; blunt.

Synonyms

blunt, blunted, rounded.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
obtuse

Used to describe someone who is slow to understand or perceive things. It implies a lack of sharpness or quickness in thought or perception.

  • He was so obtuse that he couldn't grasp the simple concept the teacher was explaining.
  • Her obtuse remarks made it clear she wasn't following the conversation.
blunt

Often used to describe an instrument or object that is not sharp. It can also describe a way of speaking that is very direct and sometimes rude.

  • The knife was too blunt to cut through the meat.
  • Her blunt comments hurt his feelings.
rounded

Generally used to describe something that has a curved, smooth shape without sharp edges or angles. Can also refer to a well-balanced or holistic quality.

  • The artist preferred to create sculptures with rounded edges.
  • She has a well-rounded education, excelling in both arts and sciences.
blunted

Typically describes something that has been made less sharp or has lost its edge due to wear or damage. It can also describe a decrease in intensity or sensitivity.

  • The pencil's tip was blunted after so much writing.
  • Years of hardship had blunted his emotions.

Examples of usage

  • The obtuse edge of the knife made it difficult to cut through the tough meat.
  • His obtuse reasoning led him to the wrong conclusions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “obtuse”

Obtuse is a 2-syllable adjective (ob-tuse). It is pronounced /ɑbˈtus/ in American English and /ɒbtjˈuːs/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #12,525 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“obtuse” in mathematics

  • In geometry, an obtuse angle is one that is greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.
  • These angles are crucial in various mathematical calculations and theorems.
  • Many shapes, like obtuse triangles, depend on the existence of obtuse angles.

“obtuse” in psychology

  • The term is occasionally used informally to describe someone who has difficulty understanding things, implying a lack of awareness.
  • In educational contexts, obtuseness may refer to students struggling to grasp complex concepts.
  • Cognitive approaches suggest that some individuals process information differently, which might explain this perception of obtuseness.

“obtuse” in pop culture

  • In literature and films, characters described as obtuse often play the role of comic relief, misunderstanding situations comically.
  • The word is used in various song lyrics to discuss emotional dullness or lack of awareness.
  • It has appeared in famous quotes, often to highlight the contradictions between perception and reality.

“obtuse” in linguistics

  • In language learning, obtuse can describe expressions that are not straightforward, making communication challenging.
  • Words that can be seen as obtuse often require context to convey their full meaning.
  • The word’s usage can vary significantly between cultures and languages, influencing the way it is understood.

Origin of 'obtuse'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'obtusus', meaning 'blunt' or 'dull'.
  • It evolved into French as 'obtus', maintaining the meaning of not being sharp.
  • First recorded use in English dates back to the late 14th century.

The word 'obtuse' comes from the Latin word 'obtusus', which means 'blunted, dull'. It first appeared in English in the late 15th century. Originally used in geometry to describe an angle greater than 90 degrees, the term later extended to describe a lack of sharpness in various contexts, including intellect or perception.

Rhymes

Obtuse rhymes with coos, duce, nous, yous, use, reduce, abuse and loose.

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Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,525, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.