muddy

[ muhd-ee ]

adjective

, mud·di·er, mud·di·est.

1. abounding in or covered with mud.
2. not clear or pure:

   muddy colors.

3. cloudy with sediment:

   muddy coffee.

4. dull, as the complexion.
5. not clear mentally.
6. obscure or vague, as thought, expression, or literary style.
7. Horse Racing. denoting the condition of a track after a heavy, continuous rainfall has ceased and been completely absorbed into the surface, leaving it the consistency of thick mud.

verb (used with object)

, mud·died, mud·dy·ing.

1. to make muddy; soil with mud.
2. to make turbid.
3. to cause to be confused or obscure.

verb (used without object)

, mud·died, mud·dy·ing.

1. to become muddy.

muddy

/ ˈmʌdɪ /

adjective

1. covered or filled with mud
2. not clear or bright

   muddy colours

3. cloudy

   a muddy liquid

4. (esp of thoughts) confused or vague

verb

1. to become or cause to become muddy

Derived Forms

• ˈmuddily, adverb
• ˈmuddiness, noun

Other Words From

• muddi·ly adverb
• muddi·ness noun
• un·muddied adjective
• un·muddy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of muddy¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, muddy is from the late Middle English word muddi. See mud, -y ¹

Example Sentences

We play with them, as paints or Playdoh, and observe some rather muddy mixing.

From Salon

Their plots are essentially straightforward — somebody wants to kill somebody, somebody else wants to stop them — but stuffed with complications and characters that can at times muddy specific goals and motivations.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s because the case brings together two muddy legal regimes: copyright law, which is renowned for its craziness and confusion; and AI law, which may be years away from coalescing into coherence.

From Los Angeles Times

On a recent visit we saw dozens of tired families - from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Eritrea and elsewhere - gathering in the drizzle at a muddy spot where humanitarian groups provide daily meals and medical assistance.

From BBC

It came to a stop in the muddy ground after leaving the runway with none of the six crew or 195 passengers reporting injuries.

From BBC

Related Words

• dirty
• dull
• filthy
• flat
• gloomy
• marshy
• sloppy
• sodden
• soggy
• swampy