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Glite Dictionary
unobtrusive

unobtrusive

8 6.7
Not attracting attention or standing out to others
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnəbˈtruːsɪv/
translation icon : discreto
  • The decor in the restaurant was unobtrusive, allowing the food to take center stage.
  • unobtrusive observation
  • unobtrusive way
  • unobtrusive study

The bulbs I forced have lost their scent, yellowing into a tall old age, tall and unobtrusive and more palm like than paperwhite.

Examples

  • She wore an unobtrusive dress that didn't draw too much attention at the party.

  • A writer ought to be skillful, but in an unobtrusive way.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Part of that is they want it as thin and light and unobtrusive as possible.

  • A technical officer was present to ensure that the equipment setup was unobtrusive.

    Academic text (2015)

  • All the measures used were unobtrusive and part of the students' daily routines.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Because they're small and unobtrusive, you're unlikely to ever notice them.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Observation of free time use can be the most unobtrusive measure utilized to assess giftedness.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Another requisite is staying as unobtrusive as possible, especially in countries where people are wary of photographers.

    Academic text (2010)

  • In the field, the diffusion tubes proved to be an unobtrusive and inexpensive method for measuring gas concentrations.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The patient is left with an unobtrusive vertical scar that heals in the midline of the forehead.

    Academic text (2006)

Synonyms

quiet
vsunobtrusive
189 1.0

Not attracting attention and simple in style

leans more toward purposeful avoidance of unwanted attention rather than simple modesty
discreet
vsunobtrusive
115 5.8

Careful about what you say and do to avoid upsetting people or drawing attention

is similar but more about general lack of standing out visually
unassuming
vsunobtrusive
20 5.8

A person or thing that is not proud and not showy

focuses more on avoiding attention for discretion than on personal humility
stealthy
vsunobtrusive
19 6.3

Acting quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed

is about gentle lack of notice without secretive or covert behaviour
inconspicuous
vsunobtrusive
15 6.9

Not easy to see or notice

focuses more on polite behaviour to avoid standing out in a bad way
unnoticeable
vsunobtrusive
2 4.6

Hard to see or notice

adds a sense of tasteful avoidance rather than mere invisibility
unobvious
vsunobtrusive
1 7.8

Hard to notice or understand at first

implies a deliberate low profile rather than just being unclear
unintrusive
vsunobtrusive
1 5.8

Not attracting attention or getting in the way

is about low, quiet presence rather than avoiding interference
unostentatious
vsunobtrusive
1 7.8

Simple and modest in style and not trying to attract attention

emphasises avoiding attention for polite reasons rather than plain restraint
non-intrusive
vsunobtrusive
4.5

Not causing trouble or interrupting what people do

is focused on blending in visually rather than preventing disruption
unpretending
vsunobtrusive
6.8

Simple and modest in style or behaviour

is more about tactful avoidance of standing out than modest self-presentation

Antonyms

conspicuous
55 5.1

Easy to see and notice because it stands out

obtrusive
4 7.2

Noticeable in a way that attracts unwanted attention

How Noticeable

obtrusive
4 7.2
conspicuous
55 5.1
noticeable
65 3.2
unobtrusive
8 6.7
low-key
  • Informal
23 5.0

Surface Forms

unobtrusive positive

Morphology

unobtrusive = obtrusive (transparent) = un + obtrusive

The meaning is directly derived from the negation prefix 'un-' + 'obtrusive' (attracting attention), yielding 'not attracting attention'.

Etymology

Unobtrusive comes from the prefix un- meaning 'not' and the verb obtrude meaning 'to push forward', so it literally means 'not pushing'. A helpful image is a person who does not push into a room, which is why unobtrusive means quiet and not attracting attention.