obvious

[ob-vee-uh s] /ˈɒb vi əs/

adjective

easily seen, recognized, or understood; open to view or knowledge; evident:

an obvious advantage.

lacking in subtlety.

Obsolete. being or standing in the way.

Origin

1580-90; < Latin obvius in the way, lying in the path, equivalent to ob- ob- + vi(a) way + -us adj. suffix (see -ous)

Related forms

obviously, adverb

obviousness, noun

nonobvious, adjective

nonobviously, adverb

nonobviousness, noun

overobvious, adjective

preobvious, adjective

preobviously, adverb

preobviousness, noun

unobvious, adjective

unobviously, adverb

unobviousness, noun

Can be confused

oblivious, obvious.

Synonyms

1. plain, manifest, clear, palpable, unmistakable. See apparent.

Antonyms

1. hidden.

Examples from the web for obvious

The answer is obvious: many summer vegetables are gorgeous.
Yes, the lavender undersides of its leaves were pretty, but the lavender wasn't that obvious.
There should be a place for visitors to park and the entrance should be obvious and welcoming.
The challenge is to do it effectively without being obvious.
The obvious answer to the above question is, because they cannot swim.
Hand is the obvious candidate because he's been up a couple times already and has pitched well.
He scampers out before they can give him the obvious answer.
Beyond the obvious, the little extras often make all the difference.
Sometimes the songs have a common thread, even if it's not obvious or even conscious on the artists' part.
The recommendations state the obvious, but are important nonetheless.

British Dictionary definitions for obvious

obvious

/ˈɒbvɪəs/

adjective

easy to see or understand; evident

exhibiting motives, feelings, intentions, etc, clearly or without subtlety

naive or unsubtle: the play was rather obvious

(obsolete) being or standing in the way

Derived Forms

obviousness, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin obvius, from obviam in the way, from ob- against + via way

Word Origin and History for obvious

adj.

1580s, "frequently met with," from Latin obvius "that is in the way, presenting itself readily, open, exposed, commonplace," from obviam (adv.) "in the way," from ob "against" (see ob-) + viam, accusative of via "way" (see via). Meaning "plain to see, evident" is first recorded 1630s. Related: Obviously; obviousness.