Word Games Pro Dictionary
obtuse
adjective
Slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
Quick reference
Word Facts
How it sounds
Pronunciation
əbˈtjuːs
Listen
Audio Pronunciation
Meaning
Definitions
adjective
Slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
“So dense he never understands anything I say to him”
adjective
Lacking in insight or discernment
“Too obtuse to grasp the implications of his behavior”
adjective
Of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
adjective
(of a leaf shape) rounded at the apex
In context
Example Sentences
So dense he never understands anything I say to him
Never met anyone quite so dim
{'source': 'Thackeray', 'text': 'although dull at classical learning, at mathematics he was uncommonly quick'}
Dumb officials make some really dumb decisions
He was either normally stupid or being deliberately obtuse
Too obtuse to grasp the implications of his behavior
{'source': 'Jasper Griffin', 'text': 'a purblind oligarchy that flatly refused to see that history was condemning it to the dustbin'}
Similar words
Synonyms
Opposite words
Antonyms
Check yourself
Practise This Word
Three quick questions on this word. Nothing is recorded — practise it as often as you like.