YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

obviate

Verb

IPA /ˈɒbvieɪt/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

To remove a difficulty or make something unnecessary.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

obviate/ˈɒbvieɪt/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea

Staff repeatedly enter the same details
A system fills the details automatically
Repeated manual entry is no longer needed

The system can obviate the need for repeated manual entry.

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.

A spare key would obviate the need to wait outside.
The shared document obviated the need to email separate copies.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

A spare key would ________ the need to wait outside.

Show the answer

obviate — To remove a difficulty or make something unnecessary.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “obviate” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To remove a difficulty or make something unnecessary.

Compare: A spare key would obviate the need to wait outside.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin obviare, meaning to prevent or meet in the way.

Did you know?

Obviate the need for is a useful expression.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.