fuzzy

[ fuhz-ee ]

adjective

, fuzz·i·er, fuzz·i·est.

1. of the nature of or resembling fuzz:

   a soft, fuzzy material.

2. covered with fuzz:

   a plant with broad, fuzzy leaves.

3. indistinct; blurred:

   A fuzzy photograph usually means you jiggled the camera.

   Synonyms: unclear, foggy, vague, hazy

4. muddleheaded or incoherent:

   a fuzzy thinker; to become fuzzy after one drink.

fuzzy

/ ˈfʌzɪ /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or covered with fuzz
2. indistinct; unclear or distorted
3. not clearly thought out or expressed
4. (of the hair) tightly curled or very wavy
5. maths of or relating to a form of set theory in which set membership depends on a likelihood function

   fuzzy logic

   fuzzy set

6. (of a computer program or system) designed to operate according to the principles of fuzzy logic, so as to be able to deal with data which is imprecise or has uncertain boundaries

Derived Forms

• ˈfuzziness, noun
• ˈfuzzily, adverb

Other Words From

• fuzzi·ly adverb
• fuzzi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fuzzy¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; fuzz ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Doe told police that her memory started to get “fuzzy” while she was at the bar.

From Los Angeles Times

“The euthanasia policies are still very fuzzy,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Details were similarly fuzzy when Tanner Frick dropped out of the competition last week.

From Los Angeles Times

“So-called sanctuary cities and states sound warm and fuzzy, but the protections they offer aren’t for abuelas getting ice cream, they’re for people who entered the country illegally and committed additional crimes.”

From Los Angeles Times

Prior to belting out her song, "Juno," Carpenter riffed with Domingo for a bit and threw him into some fuzzy handcuffs while everyone screamed with delight.

From Salon

Related Words

• blurred
• dim
• distorted
• faint
• foggy
• hazy
• misty
• murky
• obscure
• unclear
• vague