obscurely
gb/əbskjˈʊɹli/ us/əbskjˈʊɹli/
C1
English
homályosan, ismeretlenül, eldugott helyen, félreeső helyen
C1
1
homályosan
B2
Usage pattern:
[say/describe/explain/express/write] [something] obscurely
The policy is obscurely worded, so different teams interpret it differently.
A szabályzat homályosan van megfogalmazva, ezért a különböző csapatok másképp értelmezik.
She explained the rules so obscurely that half the class was lost.
Olyan homályosan magyarázta el a szabályokat, hogy az osztály fele teljesen elvesztette a fonalat.
The report refers obscurely to earlier studies without naming them.
Learner examples
The instructions were written obscurely.
Az utasításokat homályosan írták meg.
He spoke obscurely and I didn’t understand.
Homályosan beszélt, és nem értettem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use the adjective *obscure* instead of the adverb *obscurely* (e.g., "explained obscure" instead of "explained obscurely").
Meaning
in an unclear or ambiguous way
Collocations
obscurely worded
|obscurely phrased
|obscurely written
|obscurely expressed
|obscurely explained
|obscurely defined
|obscurely stated
|obscurely argued
|obscurely related
|obscurely connected
Synonyms
vaguely (Often suggests lack of detail rather than complexity.)
|
unclearly (Direct opposite of clear; neutral tone.)
|
ambiguously (Suggests more than one possible meaning.)
|
cryptically (Suggests intentionally mysterious or puzzling wording.)
Antonyms
clearly (Easy to understand; not confusing.)
|
plainly (Clear in a simple, direct way.)
Themes
communication
|writing
|thinking
Definition
In a way that is hard to understand.
In a way that is not clear or easy to understand; vaguely or ambiguously.
C1
2
homályosan
B2
Usage pattern:
[be] obscurely visible / [be] obscurely lit
A shape moved in the fog, obscurely visible through the headlights.
Egy alak mozgott a ködben, a fényszórók fényében csak homályosan látszott.
The hallway was obscurely lit, so we used our phone lights.
A folyosó homályosan volt megvilágítva, ezért a telefonunk lámpáját használtuk.
From that distance, the sign was only obscurely readable.
Learner examples
I could see him only obscurely.
Csak homályosan láttam őt.
The room was obscurely lit.
A szoba homályosan volt megvilágítva.
Common mistake:
Don’t use *obscurely* to mean “darkly” in the sense of “with evil intentions”; it usually refers to visibility or clarity.
Meaning
dimly or not distinctly visible
Collocations
obscurely visible
|obscurely seen
|obscurely lit
|obscurely outlined
|obscurely recognizable
|obscurely heard
|obscurely discernible
|obscurely perceived
Synonyms
dimly (Focuses on low light.)
|
faintly (Focuses on weak visibility or sound.)
|
indistinctly (Focuses on unclear outlines or details.)
Antonyms
brightly (With strong light; easy to see.)
|
distinctly (With clear details and boundaries.)
|
clearly (Easy to see or recognize.)
Themes
perception
|daily_life
Definition
In a way that is difficult to see.
In a way that is hard to see or make out; dimly or faintly.
C2
FORMAL
3
ismeretlenül
C1
Usage pattern:
live/work/die obscurely
He worked obscurely for years before his research was recognized.
Évekig ismeretlenül dolgozott, mielőtt a kutatását elismerték.
Many talented writers live and die obscurely.
Sok tehetséges író ismeretlenül él és hal meg.
The company began obscurely as a small local service.
Learner examples
She worked obscurely for a long time.
Sokáig ismeretlenül dolgozott.
He died obscurely in a small town.
Ismeretlenül halt meg egy kisvárosban.
Common mistake:
This sense is more formal and is most common with verbs like *live*, *work*, or *die*.
Meaning
without fame or public notice
Collocations
live obscurely
|work obscurely
|die obscurely
|remain obscurely
|toil obscurely
|exist obscurely
Synonyms
anonymously (Highlights lack of a known identity or name.)
|
unnoticed (Focuses on not being seen or recognized.)
|
in obscurity (Common alternative phrasing, often in writing.)
Antonyms
famously (With widespread recognition.)
|
prominently (In a way that attracts attention or stands out.)
|
publicly (Openly and in public view.)
Themes
society
|history
|media
Definition
Without being famous or noticed by many people.
In a way that is not well known or widely noticed; without attention, recognition, or success.
C2
4
Usage pattern:
obscurely located/situated/placed
The café is obscurely located down a narrow side street.
A kávézó eldugott helyen van, egy szűk mellékutcában.
A small plaque was obscurely placed near the entrance, easy to miss.
Egy kis tábla félreeső helyre került a bejárat közelében, így könnyű volt nem észrevenni.
The switch is obscurely tucked behind the panel.
Learner examples
The shop is obscurely located.
Az üzlet eldugott helyen van.
The label was obscurely placed.
A címke félreeső helyre került.
Common mistake:
This use is less common than talking about unclear language; it often appears with *located*, *situated*, or *tucked away*.
Meaning
in a hidden or out-of-the-way place
Collocations
obscurely located
|obscurely situated
|obscurely placed
|obscurely tucked away
|obscurely positioned
Synonyms
inconspicuously (Emphasizes not attracting attention, not necessarily distance.)
|
remotely (Emphasizes being far away rather than hidden.)
|
secretly (Implies intention to hide, which *obscurely* may not.)
Antonyms
prominently (Placed where it is easy to see or notice.)
|
centrally (In a main, central location.)
|
conspicuously (In a way that clearly attracts attention.)
Themes
places
|daily_life
Definition
In a place that is difficult to find.
In a way that makes something hard to find or notice because it is tucked away or not in a main or obvious place.
Grammar
Dictionary form
obscurely
IPA
GB/əbskjˈʊɹli/
US/əbskjˈʊɹli/
Syllables & stress
ob - scurely (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (scurely)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: obscurely
- Plural: obscurelies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.