YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME
Abstruse
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UNDERSTAND THE WORD
Meaning in plain English
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Pronunciation
Abstruse/əbˈstruːs/
Computer-generated audio. A British English voice is preferred when available. Follow the IPA for this entry; device voices can vary.
PICTURE THE IDEA
See the meaning
A difficult explanation
Hard to understand
SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Examples in context
Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.
- The professor's lectures were so abstruse that half the class stopped attending.
- Her poetry is beautiful but abstruse—it demands a second and third reading.
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Quick word quiz
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Review the meaning
Difficult to understand; obscure or overly complex in meaning.
2. Can you recall the word?
Complete the example using the word from this lesson.
The professor's lectures were so ________ that half the class stopped attending.
Show the answer
Abstruse — Difficult to understand; obscure or overly complex in meaning.
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Write one sentence using “Abstruse” about your own life.
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Difficult to understand; obscure or overly complex in meaning.
Compare: The professor's lectures were so abstruse that half the class stopped attending.
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Word origin
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