obscure memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"obscure memory" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a memory that is unclear or difficult to recall. Example: She sat alone in her room, sifting through the obscure memories of her childhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Her brain had dug out this obscure memory and run with it while she slept.

The Guardian

Weinman's article brought back to me the obscure memory that Peter had attended an alternative high school with an exotic name (she reported it: Elizabeth Cleaners Street School).

The New Yorker

Increasingly for us, the world in its variety, like the world of our past, remains at best a very obscure memory, while for many of our children, to judge from recent reports, it seems an utter mystery.

The New York Times - Books

I say it is highly unlikely, that trauma has long been known to obscure memory.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If you want to plunge into abstract art, to be lost in colour, sensation and obscure memories, you can't do better than Monet's waterlily decorations.

The Guardian - Arts

Two horrifying earthquakes in quick succession, in Haiti and Chile, had begun to obscure memories of another such disaster that happened exactly a year ago today: the devastation of the medieval city of L'Aquila, and 50 nearby villages, in Italy's mountainous Abruzzo province.

The Guardian

But the Kremlin will almost certainly determine Rosneft's strategy.Since the fall of communism, Russian businessmen, including Mr Khodorkovsky, have repeatedly gambled on the amnesia of foreigners betting that the greed of investors and a bit of public relations would obscure memories of malfeasance and instability.

The Economist

In each meditation session, I sat cross-legged with pillows under each knee, trying to monitor the air passing through my nose and other sensations across the body, but also found myself sifting through a bizarre pageant of obscure memories, hare-brained business ideas, inane jokes, and other mental detritus that blared over my brainwaves.

Duke University

CAE was not calculated in 244 out of the 604 subjects due to unclear arsenic concentration or obscure memories of the residential history.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Two things happened to obscure this memory.

Independent

Too often, their clay feet obscure your memory of why they were so important to you in the first place.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact the phrase creates. "Obscure memory" can evoke feelings of nostalgia, mystery, or even frustration at the inability to fully recall something important.

Common error

Avoid using "obscure memory" when you actually mean "selective memory". The former refers to a memory that's genuinely difficult to recall, while the latter implies a biased or filtered recollection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obscure memory" functions as a noun phrase, where "obscure" modifies the noun "memory". It typically serves to describe a memory that is unclear, vague, or difficult to recall. Ludwig AI provides various examples that highlight its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obscure memory" is a valid and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a memory that is unclear or difficult to recall. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that this phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as academic contexts. The phrase is considered to be of neutral register. When using "obscure memory", it's important to differentiate it from related terms like "selective memory" to ensure accurate communication. The phrase can evoke feelings of nostalgia, mystery, or frustration depending on the context. Overall, "obscure memory" serves as a useful descriptor when precision about a past event is lacking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faint recollection

Focuses on the weakness or dimness of the memory.

vague recollection

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and precision in the memory.

dim memory

Highlights the faded or weakened state of the memory.

hazy memory

Suggests a memory that is unclear and indistinct, like looking through a haze.

fleeting memory

Indicates a memory that is brief and quickly disappears from consciousness.

repressed memory

Implies a memory that has been unconsciously blocked from conscious awareness, often due to trauma.

buried memory

Similar to repressed memory, suggesting a memory hidden deep within the mind.

forgotten memory

A memory that is no longer accessible or easily recalled.

shadowy memory

Emphasizes the mysterious or unclear nature of the memory, as if it exists in shadows.

indistinct memory

Highlights the lack of clear details or definition in the memory.

FAQs

How can I use "obscure memory" in a sentence?

You can use "obscure memory" to describe a memory that is vague, unclear, or difficult to recall, as in, "The details of that day are now an obscure memory".

What are some synonyms for "obscure memory"?

Alternatives to "obscure memory" include "vague recollection", "faint recollection", or "dim memory" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an obscure memory" or "a obscure memory"?

It is correct to say "an obscure memory" because "obscure" starts with a vowel sound. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "obscure memory" and "forgotten memory"?

While both relate to memories that are not easily accessible, "forgotten memory" implies the memory is completely lost, whereas "obscure memory" suggests the memory is still present but difficult to fully recall or understand.