obviously
UK[ˈɒb.vi.əs.li]US[ˈɑːb.vi.əs.li]
adv
in a way that is easily perceived or understood; clearly.
adv
used to refer to something that is generally known or accepted as true.
Morpheme Breakdown
obvi
ous
ly
obvi
in the way
ous
adjective suffix
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the word "obviously" has a clear lineage from latin, built upon the concept of something being directly in one's path. the latin adjective obvius, meaning "in the way" or "meeting," is itself a compound of ob- (against) and via (road, way). this literal sense evolved into the english "obvious," meaning something so plainly in the path of understanding that it cannot be missed. the suffix -ous turns the root into an adjective, and the adverbial suffix -ly then modifies it to describe the manner of being evident. thus, the modern abstract meaning of "in a clearly apparent manner" retains the core logic of an idea positioned directly before the mind's eye, impossible to overlook.
Analysis
Structure: obvi (in the way) + ous (adjective suffix) + ly (adverb suffix)
- obvi: from latin obvius (in the way, meeting, exposed), from ob- (against) + via (way). functions as the core root.
- ous: from latin -osus, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "full of, characterized by".
- ly: from old english -līc, a suffix forming adverbs from adjectives.
Examples
he was obviously very pleased with the result.
obviously, we need to consider all the options before deciding.
she was lying, as was obvious from her nervous gestures.