Etymology Map
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Obvious

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means easily seen or understood

Where does the word "obvious" come from? It comes from Latin obvius, adopted directly into English (1580s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
obvius
Latin · ancient
"in the way, meeting"
'ob-', in front, plus 'via', way
2
Stage 2 of 2
obvious
English · 1580s
"in the way"
the sense 'plain to see' dates from the 1630s
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Read the full story

Obvious’s story begins in Latin: obvius meant “in the way, meeting.” 'ob-', in front, plus 'via', way. It reached English by 1580s as obvious. The sense 'plain to see' dates from the 1630s. Today, obvious means easily seen or understood.