Words / C2

uhb-STROOS/əbˈstruːs/

Abstruse means hard to understand because it is theoretical or hidden: an abstruse argument, abstruse metaphysics. Obscure (C1 in this project) can be little-known; recondite (already in the dictionary) is a close C2 twin. Abstract (already in the dictionary) is “not concrete” — a cousin, not a synonym. Do not call a badly explained core method abstruse as if the reader were at fault.

Meaning

Hard to understand; obscure and theoretical (formal).

Examples

• “An abstruse footnote on indexing did not excuse a missing n.”
• “An abstruse footnote on indexes did not excuse the missing n in the abstract.”
• “Recondite and abstruse both mean “for the few”; obscure can simply be unknown. Abstract art is not-concrete. Clear methods can be hard without being abstruse. A foggy required chapter is usually just poor writing.”

Good to know

Obscurely difficult; theoretical. Close: recondite. Cousin: obscure (little-known). Mix-up: abstract (not concrete). Not an excuse for bad prose.

Near in meaning

recondite

New