Obscurity is the state of being unknown, unnoticed, or forgotten. When something lives in obscurity, it exists without recognition or attention from others. A talented musician might play beautiful songs in obscurity for years before anyone discovers their work. An important historical figure might fade into obscurity when people stop learning about their contributions.

The word can describe people, ideas, or things. A brilliant inventor working in obscurity hasn't gained public recognition yet. A book that falls into obscurity was once read but is now largely forgotten. Some artists remain in obscurity their entire lives, only becoming famous after they die.

Obscurity also means the quality of being difficult to understand or see clearly. A poem written with deliberate obscurity uses confusing language that hides its meaning. When someone complains about the obscurity of instructions, they mean the directions are too vague or unclear to follow easily.

The opposite of obscurity is fame or clarity, depending on which meaning you're using. Rising from obscurity to fame is a common story: the unknown athlete who becomes a champion, or the small-town singer who becomes a star. But plenty of people do important, meaningful work without ever leaving obscurity, and that doesn't make their contributions less valuable.