Dictionary

obvious

adjective ob·vi·ous \ˈäb-vē-əs\

: easy to see or notice

: easy for the mind to understand or recognize

Full Definition of OBVIOUS

1
archaic :  being in the way or in front
2
:  easily discovered, seen, or understood
ob·vi·ous·ness noun
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Origin of OBVIOUS

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: 1603

Synonym Discussion of OBVIOUS

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>.
OBVIOUS Defined for Kids

obvious

adjective ob·vi·ous \ˈäb-vē-əs\

Definition of OBVIOUS for Kids

:  easily found, seen, or understood <He … held on to me, even after it was obvious that I was not going to fall. — Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons>
ob·vi·ous·ly adverb
ob·vi·ous·ness noun

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