Obviously means in a way that's easy to see, understand, or recognize. When something is obvious, it's clear and doesn't need much explanation. If dark clouds fill the sky and you say “it's obviously going to rain,” you're pointing out something anyone can figure out by looking up.

The word works differently depending on how you use it. Sometimes it simply describes clear facts: “She was obviously exhausted after running the marathon.” Other times, people use it when they think something should be clear to everyone, even if it isn't: “Obviously, we should study for the test.” This second use can sound dismissive, as if you're suggesting the other person should have already known.

What seems obvious to one person might not be obvious to someone else. If a friend asks why you chose a particular strategy in a game and you respond, “Obviously, because it's the best move,” you might make them feel foolish for asking, because the word suggests the answer was plain to see all along.