Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Easily perceived or understood: Something that is "obvious" is clear, apparent, and requires little or no effort to see, notice, or comprehend. It is not hidden or subtle.
   • Easily seen through or detected: Something that is "obvious" is plain and not disguised, making it easy to recognize, often implying it should have been noticed.

Usage and Examples

• General Use: Used to describe facts, truths, errors, feelings, or characteristics that are unmistakably clear.

  • The solution to the puzzle was obvious once he explained it.
  • She made an obvious mistake in her calculations.
  • His disappointment was obvious from his expression.

• Comparative and Superlative Forms:

  • The difference became more obvious over time.
  • That is the most obvious explanation for the problem.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Stating the obvious": Saying something that is already clearly known or apparent to everyone.

  • By pointing out it was raining, he was just stating the obvious.

• "For obvious reasons": For reasons that are clear and do not need to be explained in detail.

  • The event was canceled for obvious reasons.

Variants and Related Words

• Obviously (adverb): In a way that is easily perceived or understood; clearly.
  • He was obviously very tired.
• Obviousness (noun): The quality of being obvious.
  • The obviousness of the clue made the mystery easy to solve.

Synonyms

• Clear: Easy to perceive, understand, or interpret.
• Apparent: Clearly visible or understood; obvious.
• Evident: Plain or obvious; clearly seen or understood.
• Plain: Not decorated or elaborate; simple or basic in character. In this context, it means clear and easy to see or understand.
• Manifest: Clear or obvious to the eye or mind.

Antonyms

• Obscure: Not discovered or known about; uncertain. Also, not clearly expressed or easily understood.
• Hidden: Kept out of sight; concealed.
• Subtle: So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe; not obvious.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "It is obvious that...": A phrase used to introduce a statement that is considered clear and undeniable.
  • It is obvious that more research is needed.
• "Painfully obvious": Extremely and embarrassingly clear.
  • His lack of preparation was painfully obvious during the presentation.

Adjective

1. easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
   • obvious errors