Word of the Day

: March 21, 2010

obfuscate

verb AHB-fuh-skayt

What It Means

1 a : darken

b : to make obscure

2 : confuse

3 : to be evasive, unclear, or confusing

obfuscate in Context

After the debate, each of the gubernatorial candidates complained to the press that his opponent had intentionally obfuscated many responses to the questions.

Did You Know?

The last syllable of "obfuscate" may sound like the "skate" in "ice skate," but the two aren't spelled the same way. How can you keep the correct spelling for "obfuscate" clear in your mind? The knowledge that the word traces to the Latin "fuscus," meaning "dark brown," may be of some help. The fact that "obfuscate" looks and sounds a little like "obscure" (although the two are etymologically distinct) might help too; both "obfuscate" and "obscure" can refer to concealing something or making it more difficult to see or understand. Or maybe alliterative devices are more your cup of tea. If that's the case, you can remember the "c" by recalling that "obfuscate" means to confuse, cloud over, or cover up.