obviate
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
To remove or get rid of a problem, need, or requirement, so that it is no longer necessary.
To make something, especially a difficulty, unnecessary through proactive measures, thus preventing it from arising.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies prevention through foresight or a clever solution. It often suggests a more efficient or elegant alternative that bypasses a problem entirely. It is a transitive verb and requires a direct object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in formal British writing, but used identically.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a connotation of intelligence, efficiency, and formality.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday speech for both, but slightly higher in American legal and business contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] obviates [Object (need/problem)][Subject] obviates the need for [Noun Phrase/Gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated; the word itself functions in a formal, 'problem-solving' semantic field]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe solutions that eliminate costly processes or unnecessary steps, e.g., 'The new software obviates the need for manual data entry.'
Academic
Common in legal, medical, and engineering texts to describe measures that prevent problems or make theories/requirements redundant.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used in formal discussions about problem-solving.
Technical
Used in computing (to obviate a bug), logistics (to obviate a delay), and medicine (to obviate surgery).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bypass will obviate the need to drive through the city centre.
- His detailed apology obviated any formal complaint.
American English
- The waiver obviates the requirement for a notarized signature.
- Cloud storage obviated the need for physical servers.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Obviative' is extremely rare and technical.]
American English
- [No standard adjective form. 'Obviative' is extremely rare and technical.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2. Not applicable.]
- [Too complex for B1. Not applicable.]
- The new agreement obviates the old rules.
- Good planning can obviate many common problems.
- The invention of the smartphone obviated the need for separate devices like cameras and MP3 players.
- Her thorough report obviated the necessity for a follow-up meeting.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'OBVIate' as making something 'obviously' unnecessary. It takes the problem out of the picture.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEM REMOVAL IS PHYSICAL CLEARANCE (clearing a path, removing an obstacle).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'очевидно' (obviously). A closer conceptual translation is 'устранять необходимость' or 'предотвращать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'This obviates.' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'obvious'.
- Using it to mean simply 'solve' rather than 'make unnecessary'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'obviate' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, low-frequency word (C1 level). It is common in professional and academic writing but rare in everyday speech.
Rarely and awkwardly. Its object is typically an abstract problem, need, or requirement (e.g., 'obviate the need', not 'obviate the person').
'Prevent' means to stop something from happening. 'Obviate' is more specific: it means to make something unnecessary, often by providing an alternative, so the thing you 'obviate' never even becomes a problem to prevent.
The noun 'obviation' exists but is very formal and rare (e.g., 'the obviation of conflict').
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