obscure crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your ultimate guide for solving challenging crossword puzzles. Here you'll find comprehensive answers and explanations for the clue "obscure crossword clue," covering various lengths to help you complete your grid effortlessly.
Solutions for "obscure crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
DIM: Not clearly recalled or understood; vague.
4 Letters
HAZY: Vague or ill-defined; obscure.
5 Letters
VAGUE: Of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning.
6 Letters
ARCANE: Known or understood by very few; mysterious or secret.
7 Letters
CRYPTIC: Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.
8 Letters
ABSTRUSE: Difficult to understand; obscure.
ESOTERIC: Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with specialized knowledge or interest.
9 Letters
ENIGMATIC: Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
RECONDITE: (Of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse.
More About "obscure crossword clue"
The term "obscure" in a crossword context often refers to answers that are not part of everyday vocabulary or general knowledge. These can be words from specific fields, historical figures, geographical locations, or even archaic terms that are rarely used today. Crossword setters love to challenge solvers with these, pushing them to delve deeper into their lexicon or to think outside the box.
An obscure clue isn't necessarily a "trick" clue, but rather one that tests the breadth of your knowledge. Successfully solving an obscure clue often brings a great sense of satisfaction, as it means you've unearthed a hidden gem of language or information. It highlights the vastness of the English language and the endless possibilities for crossword design.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Context is Key: Always consider the surrounding letters you already have filled in. They can provide crucial context, narrowing down the possibilities for an obscure answer.
- Check Wordplay: For particularly obscure words, sometimes the clue relies on clever wordplay like anagrams, homophones, or double meanings. If the answer seems impossibly obscure, re-evaluate the clue for hidden wordplay.
- Think Synonyms: If the clue itself is a synonym for 'obscure', brainstorm other synonyms like 'cryptic', 'abstruse', 'enigmatic', or 'recondite'. This approach often leads directly to the answer.
- Use Cross-References: If stuck on an obscure word, try solving intersecting clues first. The letters you fill in from those can often reveal enough of the obscure word to make it recognizable.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a crossword clue 'obscure'?
An 'obscure' crossword clue often refers to something not commonly known, or it might be phrased in an unusually complex or indirect way, requiring lateral thinking or very specific knowledge. It could relate to archaic words, highly specialized fields, or rare historical facts.
How can I get better at solving obscure crossword clues?
To improve, expand your vocabulary by reading widely, especially classic literature and trivia. Pay attention to common crossword patterns and clue types like anagrams, homophones, or double definitions. Practice regularly with diverse puzzles and don't be afraid to use a dictionary or thesaurus when stuck.
Are 'obscure' and 'cryptic' clues the same?
While related, they are not quite the same. An 'obscure' clue refers to the rarity or uncommonness of the answer itself or the concept. A 'cryptic' clue, on the other hand, describes a specific style of clueing where the surface reading is misleading, and the actual meaning is hidden through wordplay like anagrams, charades, or hidden words. An obscure answer might appear in a cryptic clue, but the terms refer to different aspects of the puzzle.