Make Your Point > Archived Issues > OBTRUSIVE

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"OBTRUSIVE" Pronunciation: ub TROO siv Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “an obtrusive question.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "The question was obtrusive.”) Meaning: Something or someone obtrusive thrusts outward in an annoying way, or pushes itself onto people in an annoying way. Other forms: obtrude, obtruded, obtruding; obtrusion; obtrusively, obtrusiveness; unobtrusive, unobtrusively How to use it: Anyone or anything that sticks out obnoxiously, or gets all up in your face or all up in your business, can be called obtrusive. This word takes "intrusive" a step further: something obtrusive is even more annoying than something intrusive. Talk about obtrusive people, obtrusive behavior, obtrusive colors or decorations, obtrusive questions, obtrusive advertisements, obtrusive technologies or features, an obtrusive government, obtrusive methods, and so on.  The verb is also useful: talk about people obtruding, or people obtruding their thoughts or opinions on, onto, or upon other people. In a home, I prefer wide open spaces; I especially try to avoid putting big, obtrusive pieces of furniture into small areas like hallways. Submitting your personal bank statements for review feels like an especially obtrusive requirement to get approved for a home loan. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "obtrusive" means when you can explain it without saying “meddling" or "projecting." Think of a time something felt way too in-your-face, and fill in the blanks: "The obtrusive _____ made me want to _____." Example: "The obtrusive ads on the plane's television screen, maybe twelve inches from my face, made me want to close my eyes and cover my ears like a little kid." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: Our game for July is called A Verbal Tour of the US. I’ll ask you a trivia question each day this month about the names of US cities, states, geographic features, etc. Try it out each day, and see the right answer the next day. Happy verbal trails to you! From yesterday:  The official flower of two states is the Rosa arkansana. What does the flower’s name mean? And which two states does it represent? Hints: Neither is Arkansas! One is the only state whose two-letter abbreviation is two vowels, and other’s name consists of two words, one of which is still there thanks to two state legislature rulings against those who wanted to drop it from the name.  Answer: The prairie rose is the official state flower of Iowa (IA) and North Dakota. Some folks wanted to drop “North” and just call it “Dakota,” but the state legislature said “nope” twice: in 1947 and again in 1989. Try this one today: This beautiful bridge isn’t the color you’d expect it to be from its name. What is it called, and what color is it? A Point Well Made: Raymond Chandler: “All men who read escape from something else into what lies behind the printed page… All men must escape at times from the deadly rhythm of their private thoughts.” 1. The opposite of OBTRUSIVE is A. PEACEFUL B. GENTLE C. HIDDEN 2. Let's delete the more obtrusive questions from the survey, like the ones that _____. A. require you to give the same information over and over in different ways B. ask about how much money your family makes C. take more imagination to answer Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B