obtuse

/əb'tju:s/

Definition

Adjective:
- Slow to understand or perceive; lacking sharpness of intellect or sensitivity: Describes a person who is not quick to grasp ideas, often appearing dull or insensitive.
- (Geometry) Of an angle: greater than 90° and less than 180°: Describes an angle that is wider than a right angle but less than a straight line.
- (Botany, of a leaf) Having a rounded or blunt tip: Describes a leaf shape that is not pointed at the end.
- Not sharp or pointed; blunt: Describes a physical object with a dull edge or point.

Usage and Examples

Describing a lack of understanding:
- He was being deliberately obtuse, refusing to see the obvious solution.
- Her obtuse remarks showed she hadn't been listening to the discussion.
Describing a geometric angle:
- A triangle can have only one obtuse angle.
Describing a physical object:
- The obtuse blade made cutting the rope difficult.
Describing a sensation:
- He felt an obtuse, throbbing pain in his shoulder.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

"Willfully obtuse": This phrase emphasizes a deliberate choice to not understand or acknowledge something, often to avoid an issue or argument.
- The politician was willfully obtuse when questioned about the scandal.
In literary or formal criticism, "obtuse" can describe a lack of subtlety or insight in analysis.
- The review was criticized for its obtuse interpretation of the film's symbolism.

Variants and Related Words

Obtuseness (noun): The quality or state of being obtuse.
- His obtuseness in social situations often led to misunderstandings.
Obtusely (adverb): In an obtuse manner.
- He stared obtusely at the complex diagram.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Acute: (For intellect) Quick to understand; sharp. (For angles) Less than 90°.
Sharp: (For intellect) Quick-witted; perceptive. (For objects) Having a fine edge or point.
Perceptive: Having or showing sensitive insight.
Pointed: (For objects) Having a sharp tip.

Notes on Meaning

The primary modern use relates to a lack of mental sharpness. The geometric and botanical meanings are more technical and specific to those fields.
When describing pain, "obtuse" suggests a dull, persistent ache, as opposed to a sharp, acute pain. This usage is less common but correct.

Adjective

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
- so dense he never understands anything I say to him
- never met anyone quite so dim
- although dull at classical learning, at mathematics he was uncommonly quick- Thackeray
- dumb officials make some really dumb decisions
- he was either normally stupid or being deliberately obtuse
- worked with the slow students
lacking in insight or discernment
- too obtuse to grasp the implications of his behavior
- a purblind oligarchy that flatly refused to see that history was condemning it to the dustbin- Jasper Griffin
(of a leaf shape) rounded at the apex
of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees

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