Obvious: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
obvious
[หษbviษs ]
Definition
clearly visible or understood
Easily perceived or understood; clear, apparent, or self-evident. Something that is obvious does not require a lot of thought or explanation to be understood by people.
Synonyms
apparent, clear, evident, manifest, plain.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| obvious |
Suitable for situations where something is easy to understand or recognize without any doubt.
|
| clear |
Ideal for situations where something is free of ambiguity or confusion; straightforward and understandable.
|
| evident |
Best suited for formal contexts where there is strong, undeniable proof of something.
|
| apparent |
Used when something appears to be true based on the evidence at hand, but there might still be some doubt or need for further verification.
|
| manifest |
Used typically in more formal writing or speech to indicate that something is clearly visible or understandable.
|
| plain |
Used to describe something that is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand without any additional interpretation.
|
Examples of usage
- It was obvious that she was upset.
- The answer is so obvious, why couldn't you see it?
- The solution to the problem is quite obvious.
- It was obvious from his expression that he was lying.
- Her disappointment was obvious to everyone.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word originates from the Latin 'obvius', which means 'in the way' or 'easily accessible'.
- In Middle French, the term 'obvie' was used to describe something that was clear or evident to see.
- It has been part of the English language since the 15th century, showing how long it has been used to describe clarity.
Psychology
- People often use the term to express confidence in their judgment or understanding of a situation.
- Research suggests that what is deemed 'obvious' can be subjective and influenced by prior knowledge and experience.
- Confirmation bias can lead individuals to see their perspective as obvious, disregarding alternative views.
Communication
- In conversations, saying something is 'obvious' can sometimes dismiss others' perspectives, leading to ineffective communication.
- Rhetorical questions that highlight obvious truths are commonly used in speech to engage audiences.
- Effective writers often avoid using 'obvious' statements; instead, they encourage readers to explore ideas themselves.
Pop Culture
- In films or literature, the 'obvious' twist is often subverted for dramatic effect, leading audiences to unexpected conclusions.
- Catchphrases like 'It's obvious!' have been popularized in meme culture to humorously emphasize clear facts.
- Television shows frequently portray characters who miss the 'obvious' solutions to problems as a source of comedy.
Education
- Teaching techniques often emphasize making complex ideas obvious through diagrams and examples.
- The principle of 'scaffolding' in education aims to make learning outcomes evident to students as they progress.
- Educational discussions frequently critique whether certain subjects are too obvious, potentially limiting deeper understanding.
Translations
Translations of the word "obvious" in other languages:
๐ต๐น รณbvio
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคชเคทเฅเค (spasht)
๐ฉ๐ช offensichtlich
๐ฎ๐ฉ jelas
๐บ๐ฆ ะพัะตะฒะธะดะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ oczywisty
๐ฏ๐ต ๆ็ฝใช (meihakuna)
๐ซ๐ท รฉvident
๐ช๐ธ obvio
๐น๐ท aรงฤฑk
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ถ๋ช ํ (bunmyeonghan)
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุงุถุญ (wadeh)
๐จ๐ฟ zลejmรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ zrejmรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ๆๆพ็ (mรญngxiวn de)
๐ธ๐ฎ oฤitno
๐ฎ๐ธ augljรณs
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐะนาัะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แชแฎแแแ (tsk'hadi)
๐ฆ๐ฟ aลkar
๐ฒ๐ฝ obvio