Unobtrusive Meaning
/(ˌ)ʌnəbˈtɹuːsɪv/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjNot obtrusive; not blatant or noticeable; discreet, inconspicuous.
Sentence Examples
In New Jersey are many unobtrusive buildings.
It's an unobtrusive way of advertising, so they say.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The security camera was placed in an ____ location so that visitors would not notice it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The security camera was very ____, as it was hidden behind a small piece of dark plastic on the wall today.
Word Origin & History
From un- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + obtrusive.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Ye Quietiſts, in Homage to the Skies! / Serene! of ſoft Addreſs! vvho mildly make / An unobtruſive Tender of your Hearts, / Abhorring Violence!"
— 1743, [Edward Young], “Night the Fourth. The Christian Triumph.”, in The Complaint: Or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality, London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], →OCLC, page 27:
"[T]hey were not the spoiled children of affectation and refinement, but a bold, vigorous, independent race of thinkers, with prodigious strength and energy, with none but natural grace, and heartfelt unobtrusive delicacy."
— 1820, William Hazlitt, “Lecture I. Introductory.”, in Lectures Chiefly on the Dramatic Literature of the Age of Elizabeth. […], London: Stodart and Steuart, […]; Edinburgh: Bell and Bradfute, →OCLC, page 2:
"Like some poor devils ashore that happen to know an irascible great man, they make distant unobtrusive salutations to him in the street, lest if they pursued the acquaintance further, they might receive a summary thump for their presumption."
— 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “The Affidavit”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 226:
"Behind an unobtrusive iron door in Dalston decorated with an ever-changing graffiti skin, lies a staircase leading down to a concrete bunker dating from the second world war."
— 2014 March 11, Jen Wong, “Exploring the mind in a bunker”, in The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 13 Nov 2022:
"This unobtrusive device helps millions of Americans sleep and concentrate by hushing the world around them."
— 2019 June 23, Mack Hagood, “How a Bad Night’s Sleep Birthed the Sound Conditioner”, in The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 14 Mar 2023:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The security camera was placed in an ____ location so that visitors would not notice it.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The security camera was very ____, as it was hidden behind a small piece of dark plastic on the wall today.