Manifest vs. Obvious — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
Manifest means to clearly reveal or display, often through actions or outcomes, whereas obvious refers to something easily perceived or understood without need for deliberation.
Difference Between Manifest and Obvious
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term manifest is used to describe something that is made clear or obvious through actions or demonstrations. On the other hand, when something is obvious, it stands out immediately and does not require further explanation or evidence to be recognized.
Manifestation often involves a process or a result that becomes clear over time; for example, one’s skills can manifest through consistent performance. Whereas, something obvious, like the presence of rain during a downpour, is immediately clear to anyone without need for demonstration.
Manifest can also have a proactive connotation, suggesting an effort to make something clear, such as intentions or feelings. In contrast, obvious can imply a passive state of being easily understood or recognizable, requiring no effort to be perceived.
The usage of manifest often appears in more formal or technical contexts, emphasizing the revelation or emergence of information or qualities. Meanwhile, obvious is commonly used in everyday language to denote clarity that requires no elaboration.
Understanding the nuance between manifest and obvious is crucial, especially in contexts where the clarity or recognizability of something plays a significant role in communication or analysis.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Clearly show or display something.
Easily perceived or understood.
Process
Can involve a gradual revelation.
Instantly recognizable.
Connotation
Often proactive and intentional.
Passive and straightforward.
Usage Contexts
More formal or technical.
Common in everyday language.
Requirement
May require evidence or actions.
No additional evidence needed.
Compare with Definitions
Manifest
Reveals clearly.
His talent for music manifested in his early compositions.
Obvious
Easily understood.
The answer was obvious to everyone in the room.
Manifest
Demonstrates visibly.
The symptoms of the disease began to manifest clearly.
Obvious
Undebatable clarity.
The need for change was obvious after the review.
Manifest
Becomes apparent.
Her enthusiasm for the project manifested in her hard work.
Obvious
Clear without effort.
It was obvious from his face that he was upset.
Manifest
Indicates clearly.
His hesitation manifested his uncertainty about the decision.
Obvious
Stands out plainly.
The mistake in the calculation was obvious.
Manifest
Shows evidence.
The success of the policy was manifested in improved outcomes.
Obvious
Recognizable immediately.
The landmarks were obvious to the tourists.
Manifest
Clear or obvious to the eye or mind
Her manifest charm and proven ability
Obvious
Easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent
Unemployment has been the most obvious cost of the recession
It was obvious a storm was coming in
Manifest
Show (a quality or feeling) by one's acts or appearance; demonstrate
Lizzy manifested signs of severe depression
Obvious
Easily perceived or understood; apparent.
Manifest
Record in a manifest
Every passenger is manifested at the point of departure
Obvious
Easily seen through because of a lack of subtlety; transparent
An obvious political ploy that fooled no one.
Manifest
A document listing a ship's contents, cargo, passengers, and crew, for the use of customs officers.
Obvious
Easily discovered, seen, or understood; self-explanatory.
Manifest
Clearly apparent to the sight or understanding; obvious.
Obvious
Opposing; fronting.
To the evil turnMy obvious breast.
Manifest
To show or demonstrate plainly; reveal
"[Her] soft appearance belied her ... steadfastness. She manifested no fear and allowed none in her voice" (Philip Roth).
Obvious
Exposed; subject; open; liable.
Manifest
To record in a ship's manifest.
Obvious
Easily discovered, seen, or understood; readily perceived by the eye or the intellect; plain; evident; apparent; as, an obvious meaning; an obvious remark.
Apart and easy to be known they lie,Amidst the heap, and obvious to the eye.
Manifest
To display or present a manifest of (cargo).
Obvious
Easily perceived or understood;
Obvious errors
Manifest
To become manifest; be revealed
Depression can manifest as irritability.
Obvious
Easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind;
A perceptible sense of expectation in the court
An obvious (or palpable) lie
Manifest
A list of cargo or passengers carried on a ship or plane.
Obvious
Obvious to the eye or mind;
A tower conspicuous at a great distance
Wore conspicuous neckties
Made herself conspicuous by her exhibitionistic preening
Manifest
An invoice of goods carried on a truck or train.
Obvious
Obvious to the eye;
A visible change of expression
Manifest
A list of railroad cars according to owner and location.
Manifest
Evident to the senses, especially to the sight; apparent; distinctly perceived.
Manifest
Obvious to the understanding; apparent to the mind; easily apprehensible; plain; not obscure or hidden.
Manifest
Detected; convicted.
Manifest
A list or invoice of the passengers or goods being carried by a commercial vehicle or ship.
Manifest
(computing) A file containing metadata describing other files.
Manifest
(obsolete) A public declaration; an open statement; a manifesto.
Manifest
(transitive) To show plainly; to make to appear distinctly, usually to the mind; to put beyond question or doubt; to display; to exhibit.
His courage manifested itself through the look on his face.
Manifest
(intransitive) To become manifest; to be revealed.
His osteoporosis first manifested as pain in his hips.
Manifest
To will something to exist.
Manifest
(transitive) To exhibit the manifests or prepared invoices of; to declare at the customhouse.
Manifest
Evident to the senses, esp. to the sight; apparent; distinctly perceived; hence, obvious to the understanding; apparent to the mind; easily apprehensible; plain; not obscure or hidden.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight.
That which may be known of God is manifest in them.
Thus manifest to sight the god appeared.
Manifest
Detected; convicted; - with of.
Calistho there stood manifest of shame.
So clear, so shining, and so evident,That it will glimmer through a blind man's eye.
Entertained with solitude,Where obvious duty erewhile appeared unsought.
I saw, I saw him manifest in view,His voice, his figure, and his gesture knew.
Manifest
A public declaration; an open statement; a manifesto. See Manifesto.
Manifest
A list or invoice of a ship's cargo, containing a description by marks, numbers, etc., of each package of goods, to be exhibited at the customhouse; as, to inspect the ship's manifest.
Manifest
To show plainly; to make to appear distinctly, - usually to the mind; to put beyond question or doubt; to display; to exhibit.
There is nothing hid which shall not be manifested.
Thy life did manifest thou lovedst me not.
Manifest
To exhibit the manifests or prepared invoices of; to declare at the customhouse.
Manifest
A customs document listing the contents put on a ship or plane
Manifest
Provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes;
His high fever attested to his illness
The buildings in Rome manifest a high level of architectural sophistication
This decision demonstrates his sense of fairness
Manifest
Record in a ship's manifest;
Each passenger must be manifested
Manifest
Reveal its presence or make an appearance;
The ghost manifests each year on the same day
Manifest
Clearly apparent or obvious to the mind or senses;
The effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields
Evident hostility
Manifest disapproval
Patent advantages
Made his meaning plain
It is plain that he is no reactionary
In plain view
Common Curiosities
How do manifestations occur?
Manifestations occur through a process that might involve gradual development or becoming evident through results.
Can something be both manifest and obvious?
Yes, something can be both manifest and obvious if it is shown clearly and is also immediately recognizable.
What does it mean for something to manifest?
To manifest means to display or show something clearly through actions or outcomes.
What makes something obvious?
Something is obvious if it is easily recognizable or understandable without any need for further clarification.
What are typical examples of obvious things?
Obvious things include straightforward answers, clear mistakes, or visible conditions.
Why is something considered obvious?
Something is considered obvious if it can be perceived easily and immediately by nearly everyone.
What are examples of things that manifest?
Skills, symptoms of an illness, or personal intentions can manifest over time through various indicators.
How does obviousness impact communication?
Obviousness simplifies communication by reducing the need for detailed explanation or proof.
Is manifesting something always intentional?
Manifesting can be either intentional, such as in revealing one’s intentions, or natural, as in the case of symptoms appearing.
What is the importance of understanding these terms in a professional setting?
In professional settings, understanding these terms helps in accurately describing processes, results, or situations.
How do the contexts of using manifest and obvious differ?
'Manifest' is often used in more formal or specialized discussions, while 'obvious' is common in everyday conversation.
Can the lack of obviousness complicate situations?
Yes, when something is not obvious, it may lead to misunderstandings or require additional explanation.
How can one ensure that something becomes manifest?
Ensuring something becomes manifest may involve clear communication, demonstration, or providing evidence.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
