obscure persons

[/əbˈskjʊr ˈpɜrsənz/]
noun phrasepl: obscure persons
pessoas obscuras
1. individuals who are not well-known, famous, or prominent in society; people lacking public recognition or prominence
The documentary featured interviews with obscure persons who had witnessed the historical event.
O documentário apresentava entrevistas com pessoas obscuras que haviam testemunhado o evento histórico.
2. individuals whose identities, backgrounds, or purposes are unclear or not easily understood
The project was funded by obscure persons with unknown intentions.
O projeto foi financiado por pessoas obscuras com intenções desconhecidas.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'obscure persons' is used to describe individuals lacking public prominence. In Brazil, this phrase appears frequently in media discussing everyday people affected by major events. In the USA, it often carries connotations of intentional anonymity or deliberate avoidance of spotlight. The term can be neutral or slightly pejorative depending on context.
NYC Slang
nobody / randoms / small-time players
Synonyms / Sinônimos
unknown personsobscure individualsminor figureslittle-known peopleanonymous personsinconspicuous people
Antonyms / Antônimos
famous personsprominent figureswell-known peoplecelebritiespublic figuresnotable persons

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
pessoas obscuras
standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
pessoas obscuras / desconhecidos
common in informal speech
São Paulo
pessoas obscuras / figuras menores
used in both formal and informal contexts
Portugal
pessoas obscuras / indivíduos desconhecidos
similar usage to Brazilian Portuguese with slight formality variations

Related Words

obscurityanonymityunknowninconspicuouslesser-knownmarginal figuresrank and file

Related Idioms & Phrases

lost in the crowd
not on the radar
behind the scenes
out of the spotlight
faceless masses
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