is relatively obscure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is relatively obscure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is not well-known or not widely recognized, often in comparison to other things. Example: "The author's earlier works are relatively obscure compared to their bestselling novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Because it is relatively obscure, tsunami should be explained". Obscure no more.

The New York Times - Magazine

She is one of America's outstanding athletes, but her sport, rhythmic gymnastics, is relatively obscure.

The New York Times - Sports

Rhythmic gymnastics is relatively obscure in the United States, but in Europe and South America, it is extremely popular.

The New York Times - Sports

Cannabis use has been associated with increased risk of becoming involved in traffic accidents; however, the relation between THC concentration and driver impairment is relatively obscure.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

This approach is relatively obscure, and so I begin by outlining the stochastic gravity program in enough detail to make clear the basic sense in which, on this approach, spacetime emerges from more fundamental physical structures.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

There's deliberately little information within the Panama Papers that harms Putin: While the $2 billion figure has been reported widely, the link to Putin is relatively obscure, and the Russian president has survived far worse accusations of corruption.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He's relatively obscure.

The New Yorker

Most others are relatively obscure.

The Guardian - Tech

For decades the Fields Medal was relatively obscure.

The New York Times

Just because these traditions are relatively obscure to Americans today doesn't make them less accessible.

The New York Times - Arts

I only tend to do this when I judge a name to be relatively obscure, which ALDI is surely not.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is relatively obscure" to introduce a topic or concept that requires further explanation or background information for the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "is relatively obscure" when describing something that is common knowledge within a specific field or community. Consider your audience and their level of expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is relatively obscure" functions as a descriptive predicate adjective. It modifies a subject, indicating its degree of unfamiliarity or lack of widespread knowledge. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is commonly used to describe something that requires additional context to be understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is relatively obscure" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something not widely known. According to Ludwig, it functions as a descriptive predicate adjective, setting the stage for further explanation. While it appears across various contexts, it's most frequently found in news, science, and wiki articles. Using related phrases like "is not widely known" or "is somewhat unknown" can offer alternative phrasing, but care should be taken to avoid overstating the obscurity or misjudging the audience's knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not widely known

Focuses on the lack of general awareness.

is not particularly well-known

Emphasizes the limited recognition.

is somewhat unknown

Highlights a degree of unfamiliarity.

lacks widespread recognition

Stresses the absence of broad acknowledgment.

is not in the public consciousness

Indicates absence from common awareness.

is fairly hidden

Suggests obscurity due to being concealed or not easily found.

is not a household name

Implies a lack of fame or common knowledge.

has limited visibility

Highlights the restricted exposure or prominence.

remains largely unrecognised

Emphasizes the continuing lack of recognition.

is unfamiliar to many

Points out the lack of acquaintance among a large group.

FAQs

How can I use "is relatively obscure" in a sentence?

You can use "is relatively obscure" to describe something that isn't widely known. For example, "The history of that particular region "is relatively obscure"."

What are some alternatives to "is relatively obscure"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is not widely known", "is somewhat unknown", or "lacks widespread recognition", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is relatively obscure" or "is obscure"?

"Is relatively obscure" implies a comparison; it's obscure compared to something else. "Is obscure" simply states it's not well-known, without a direct comparison.

What does it mean when something "is relatively obscure"?

It means that the subject is not well-known or understood by a large number of people, especially when compared to other, more familiar subjects. It suggests a need for further explanation or context.