turbid
Americanadjective
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not clear or transparent because of stirred-up sediment or the like; clouded; opaque; obscured.
the turbid waters near the waterfall.
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thick or dense, as smoke or clouds.
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The real reason for the impenetrability of certain writing is often the turbid minds of the writers.
adjective
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muddy or opaque, as a liquid clouded with a suspension of particles
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dense, thick, or cloudy
turbid fog
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in turmoil or confusion
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of turbid
First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin turbidus “disturbed,” equivalent to turb(āre) “to disturb” (derivative of turba “turmoil”) + -idus adjective suffix ( see -id 4)
Explanation
If a liquid is dark and murky and you can't see through it, it's turbid. It’s usually used as a criticism — a turbid river is generally a polluted one, but then again a good pint of real ale should be turbid. Go figure. Turbid comes from the Latin word turbidus, which means "muddy, full of confusion." Although it’s usually used to describe liquid, like that turbid creek your rain boot disappeared in, it can also be used to describe writing that’s unclear. If your teacher says your essay for English is turbid, it’s time to go back to work! Outlines and thesis statements can help clear up turbid prose.
Vocabulary lists containing turbid
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"When the cichlids were young, they had this huge plasticity and were able to alter their physiology in order to cope with the turbid environmental conditions," Tiarks said.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2024
Ukrainian troops evacuated its staff before a 4-meter wave of turbid, polluted water flooded the station and its breeding ponds.
From Science Magazine • Jan. 3, 2024
Within them, turbid pockets of gas were forced ever inward, kindling the fires that would end the cosmic dark ages.
From National Geographic • Sep. 14, 2023
She sat motionless and dazed in a chair for hours, her thoughts turbid, until she noticed that Chief had stopped moving.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2023
He wondered if the turbid water gliding past could again carry away his burdens.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
