How to pronounce obscure
Say it like ub-SKYOOR. Obscure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKYOOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obscure. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ub
- SKYOOR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obscure pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ubKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SKYOORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
American vs British pronunciation of obscure
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ub-SKYOOR.
What does obscure mean?
- make less visible or unclear“The stars are obscured by the clouds”“the big elm tree obscures our view of the valley”
- make unclear, indistinct, or blurred“Her remarks confused the debate”“Their words obnubilate their intentions”
- make obscure or unclear“The distinction was obscured”
- not clearly expressed or understood“an obscure turn of phrase”“an impulse to go off and fight certain obscure battles of his own spirit”
- marked by difficulty of style or expression“much that was dark is now quite clear to me”“those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is obscure”
- difficult to find“hidden valleys”“a hidden cave”
Where does obscure come from?
From Middle English obscure, from Old French obscur, from Latin obscūrus (“dark, dusky, indistinct”), from ob- + *scūrus, from Proto-Italic *skoiros, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃-.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with obscure
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of obscure.
Questions about saying obscure
How do you pronounce obscure?
Say ub-SKYOOR. The American pronunciation is /əbˈskjʊr/. In British English it is /əbˈskjʊə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obscure?
Obscure has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKYOOR). Broken into parts: ub · SKYOOR.
Is obscure pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /əbˈskjʊə/ (ub-SKYOOR).