Word of the Day: Obfuscate

Obfuscate:  [äb-fə-ˌskāt]

Part of speech: verb

1.  To darken

2.   To obscure

3.    To confuse

Examples of Obfuscate in a sentence:

1.  Don't obfuscate the truth — I know it was you who stole my watch!

2.  Many politicians try to obfuscate their real intentions with grandstanding and flowery speeches.

About Obfuscate

The Latin word from which obfuscate is derived literally means "dark brown," and one can see how "muddying the waters" became a colloquial way of saying someone is trying to obfuscate matters.

Did you Know?

It should come as no surprise that obfuscate shares its roots with obscure, but both words also share distant, ancient roots with the word dusk.