What is the meaning of “she can be obtuse”?

Question

A friend of mine once described a mutual acquaintance in this way:

She can be obtuse.

The dictionary definition of "obtuse" seems to suggest a "lack of intellect or intelligence". However, this really seems to be unlikely to be what she meant, since it seems a very harsh way to speak about anyone. And also it does not describe the acquaintance whatsover, since she is a very smart woman.

The context of the sentence would seem to imply that it had something to do with stubbornness. Is that a possible interpretation?

Answer 1

In American English, I think the meaning is shifting towards 'missing the obvious' which is part of the first definition at Dictionary.com.

1. not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull.

Answer 2

"Obtuse" means as you say "lack of intelligence". Your friend is saying that her friend can be dense.

NOTE WELL, your friend is not saying "She is obtuse", but "She can be obtuse".

Your friend is saying that it is possible for this mutual acquaintance to be a little "slow" sometimes in catching things.

It's like, you have a very lazy friend, who hardly likes to do anything, but then you might say:

He can be fast.

Not saying that he is fast, but that he is fast sometimes.

Your friend is basically stating : "Even though your mutual friend is smart and intelligent, there are situations where she can be a little dense or slow." That's how your friend has described your mutual acquaintance.

Answer 3

Obtuse when applied to a person is rather disparaging, and it means either lack of intellect or sensitivity - i.e. your colleague might have been calling her insensitive

If you felt he meant stubborn in the context, then may be it was a slip of tongue, the right word he could have used is obstinate.