obvious

adjective

ob·​vi·​ous ˈäb-vē-əs How to pronounce obvious (audio)
Synonyms of obvious
1
: easily discovered, seen, or understood
It was obvious that things weren't working out.
She stayed for obvious reasons.
2
archaic : being in the way or in front
obviousness noun

Synonyms of obvious

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evident, manifest, patent, distinct, obvious, apparent, plain, clear mean readily perceived or apprehended.

evident implies presence of visible signs that lead one to a definite conclusion.

an evident fondness for sweets

manifest implies an external display so evident that little or no inference is required.

manifest hostility

patent applies to a cause, effect, or significant feature that is clear and unmistakable once attention has been directed to it.

patent defects

distinct implies such sharpness of outline or definition that no unusual effort to see or hear or comprehend is required.

a distinct refusal

obvious implies such ease in discovering that it often suggests conspicuousness or little need for perspicacity in the observer.

the obvious solution

apparent is very close to evident except that it may imply more conscious exercise of inference.

for no apparent reason

plain suggests lack of intricacy, complexity, or elaboration.

her feelings about him are plain

clear implies an absence of anything that confuses the mind or obscures the pattern.

a clear explanation

Examples of obvious in a Sentence

Her doctor immediately noticed the obvious signs of the disease. She saw only the most obvious differences. It was obvious that things weren't working out. The answer seems obvious enough to me. The problem was immediately obvious to everyone in the room. He was the obvious candidate for president. The obvious question is: how did he become so successful? For obvious reasons, I would not like to reveal my name.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These reveal problems that might not be obvious in the short term, such as liver damage, as well as underlying conditions that could turn minor issues into something serious. — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Know when to seek professional help Advanced spyware may operate without obvious symptoms. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 If there are lessons from the 2025 wave of crypto IPOs, the most obvious is that investors should proceed with caution. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026 Hoyer shockingly stole Counsell from the Brewers three years ago with the lure of the biggest managerial contract ever, believing Counsell’s obvious skills and brains would help strengthen the Cubs and weaken the Brewers. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obvious

Word History

Etymology

Latin obvius, from obviam in the way, from ob in the way of + viam, accusative of via way — more at ob-, via

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obvious was in 1583

Phrases Containing obvious

Browse Nearby Words

obviative
obvious
obviously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obvious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obvious. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

obvious

adjective
ob·​vi·​ous ˈäb-vē-əs How to pronounce obvious (audio)
: easily found, seen, or understood : plain
an obvious mistake
obviousness noun

Legal Definition

obvious

adjective
ob·​vi·​ous
: easily seen, discovered, or understood
specifically : readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in a particular art considering the scope and content of the prior art see also patent

Note: An invention that is found to be obvious cannot be patented.

obviousness noun
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