muddy

[muhd-ee]

adjective

muddier, muddiest 

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)

muddied, muddying 

1. to make muddy; soil with mud.

2. to make turbid.

3. to cause to be confused or obscure.

verb (used without object)

muddied, muddying 

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

Other Word Forms

• muddily adverb
• muddiness noun
• unmuddied adjective
• unmuddy 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

In most lobsters, this combination results in a dark, muddy blue-green shell that helps them blend into the seabed.

From BBC

More recently, they had been partners in a far downtown Manhattan restaurant, also called Black Rabbit, though Vince’s level of current participation is muddy.

From Los Angeles Times

I can remember being stunned by his depiction of the muddy Agincourt battlefield and the piles of the dead.

From BBC

The flavors, previously muddied, began to stand upright and speak.

From Salon

Now, people from around the world compete in the 120 yard snorkel in a muddy bog, which takes place in Powys each year.

From BBC

Related Words

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