Obvious Meaning
Obvious Definition & Usage
Easily perceived or understood; clear, evident, or unmistakable.
Examples
- "The answer to the riddle was so obvious that everyone solved it immediately."
- "It was obvious that she was upset by the way she kept avoiding eye contact."
- "The obvious choice for the project leader was Sarah, given her experience and dedication."
- "As soon as I walked into the room, it was obvious that something had gone wrong."
- "The solution to the puzzle seemed obvious once I figured out the pattern."
Used to criticize or imply that something should have been clear or easily anticipated.
Examples
- "It’s obvious you didn’t read the instructions properly."
- "He made an obvious mistake by forgetting to submit the report on time."
- "That comment was completely obvious and didn’t add anything to the conversation."
- "I think it’s obvious that we need to act quickly to avoid further complications."
- "It was obvious to anyone paying attention that she was lying."
Cultural Context
The word 'obvious' comes from the Latin 'obvius', meaning 'in the way' or 'easily encountered'. It has evolved in English to describe something that is immediately clear or easy to understand. Over time, the word has gained connotations of simplicity and sometimes criticism, depending on the context in which it is used.
The Obvious Choice
Story
The Obvious Choice
Sarah sat in the dimly lit conference room, her eyes flicking nervously over the presentation slides. She had spent weeks preparing for this meeting, but now that she was here, something felt off. The board members sat around the table, all focused on her. She could almost feel their gaze drilling into her as she spoke. "We’ve narrowed it down to two candidates for the project leader role," Sarah said, flipping through her notes. "Both are highly qualified, but after careful consideration, the obvious choice is Maria. She has the right experience, the leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the project’s needs." The room was silent for a moment before one of the board members, Mark, spoke up. "But isn’t it obvious that Sarah herself is the best candidate?" he asked with a smile, leaning back in his chair. "You’ve been leading this team for months, and your contributions have been invaluable." Sarah blinked in surprise, not expecting to hear this suggestion. It was a clear compliment, but the words felt strange, almost like a challenge. Maria, who had been sitting quietly at the table, suddenly spoke up. "Well, I think it’s obvious that we need someone with a fresh perspective, don’t you?" she said, her voice smooth and confident. "Someone who can step outside of the day-to-day and lead us to new heights." Sarah’s mind raced. It seemed that everyone had their own view on what was "obvious" in this situation, and what seemed clear to one person was not necessarily obvious to another. In the end, the decision was made. Sarah would continue leading the team, with Maria as a key advisor. The board had chosen her not because it was the most obvious decision, but because it was the one that made the most sense in the long term. The meeting ended with the usual formalities, but Sarah couldn't shake the feeling that "obvious" was just a word thrown around when people were too comfortable with their own perspectives. What was obvious to one could easily be missed by another. She walked out of the room with her head held high, knowing that the real challenge wasn’t making the obvious decision—it was making the right one.
