Esoteric vs. Obscure — What's the Difference?

Intended for or understood by only a small group, especially one with specialized knowledge or interests

Deficient in light; dark

Relating to or being a small group with specialized knowledge or interests

So faintly perceptible as to lack clear delineation; indistinct

Not known by or suitable for the public; private

Indistinctly heard; faint.

One that is esoteric.

(Linguistics) Having the reduced, neutral sound represented by schwa (ə).

Esoterics Esoteric matters; esoterica

Far from centers of human population

Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.

Out of sight; hidden

Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.

Not readily noticed or seen; inconspicuous

Confidential; private.

Of undistinguished or humble station or reputation

An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy.

Not clearly understood or expressed; ambiguous or vague

One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites.

To make dim, indistinct, or impossible to see

Designed for, and understood by, the specially initiated alone; not communicated, or not intelligible, to the general body of followers; private; interior; acroamatic; - said of discussions of technical topics and of the private and more recondite instructions and doctrines of philosophers. Opposed to exoteric.

To make difficult to discern mentally or understand

Marked by secrecy or privacy; private; select; confidential; as, an esoteric purpose; an esoteric meeting.

To diminish the stature of; overshadow or detract from

An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy; esoterics.

(Linguistics) To reduce (a vowel) to the neutral sound represented by schwa (ə).

Confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle;

Something obscure or unknown.

Dark, faint or indistinct.

Hidden, out of sight or inconspicuous.

Difficult to understand.

Not well-known.

Unknown or uncertain; unclear.

(transitive) To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious.

(transitive) To hide, put out of sight etc.

To conceal oneself; to hide.

Covered over, shaded, or darkened; destitute of light; imperfectly illuminated; dusky; dim.

Of or pertaining to darkness or night; inconspicuous to the sight; indistinctly seen; hidden; retired; remote from observation; unnoticed.

Not noticeable; humble; mean.

Not easily understood; not clear or legible; abstruse or incomprehensible; as, an obscure passage or inscription.

Not clear, full, or distinct; clouded; imperfect; as, an obscure view of remote objects.

To render obscure; to darken; to make dim; to keep in the dark; to hide; to make less visible, intelligible, legible, glorious, beautiful, or illustrious.

To conceal one's self; to hide; to keep dark.

Obscurity.

Make less visible or unclear;

Make unclear, indistinct, or blurred;

Make obscure or unclear;

Make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing;

Make difficult to perceive by sight;

Not clearly understood or expressed;

Marked by difficulty of style or expression;

Difficult to find;

Not famous or acclaimed;

Not drawing attention;

Remote and separate physically or socially;