sludgy

American  

[sluhj-ee] / ˈslʌdʒ i /

adjective

sludgier, sludgiest

1. of or relating to sludge.

2. covered, lined with, or containing sludge.

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sludgy British  

/ ˈslʌdʒɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of, containing, or like sludge

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Etymology

Origin of sludgy

First recorded in 1775–85; sludge + -y ¹

Example Sentences

We are drawn by the painting’s rich orchestration of warm and cool browns—from sludgy tan to super-charged ocher verging on sienna—and its seductive textures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The record was grim and sludgy – partly because the band had recorded it in just two days, with limited funds.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

Osbourne stretches the bit about as far as it can go as Iommi cranks out the sludgy lick that would later be sampled prominently by the Beastie Boys in their “Rhymin & Stealin.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2025

Cook over low heat under sludgy and thick; the cherries will have given up their juices.

From Salon • May 6, 2025

And now Bryson was sitting alone on the living room floor, trying to swallow sludgy oats and forget it all.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds