turbid

American  

[tur-bid] / ˈtɜr bɪd /

adjective

1. not clear or transparent because of stirred-up sediment or the like; clouded; opaque; obscured.

   the turbid waters near the waterfall.

   Synonyms:

   muddy, cloudy, murky

2. thick or dense, as smoke or clouds.

3. confused; muddled; disturbed.

   The real reason for the impenetrability of certain writing is often the turbid minds of the writers.

---

turbid British  

/ ˈtɜːbɪd /

adjective

1. muddy or opaque, as a liquid clouded with a suspension of particles

2. dense, thick, or cloudy

   turbid fog

3. in turmoil or confusion

---

Other Word Forms

• turbidity
  noun
• turbidly
  adverb
• turbidness
  noun
• unturbid
  adjective
• unturbidly
  adverb

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.

Example Sentences

In September 2025, a 29-year old man was hiking alone on the remote Turbid Lake Trail when he apparently surprised a bear.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

The 29-year old man had been hiking alone on the remote Turbid Lake Trail when he apparently surprised the bear, according to park officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2025

Turbid are all the streams of earthly pleasures, and fully now I realize those lines, which once seemed the essence of misanthropy—   'I thought upon this hollow world,   And all its hollow crew.'

From Inez A Tale of the Alamo by Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)

"Turbid ecstacy," is surely not so good as what you had written, "troublous."

From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 5 The Letters of Charles and Mary Lamb, 1796-1820 by Lucas, E. V. (Edward Verrall)

Turbid accents uttered the name of Dr. Rodiek.

From The False Faces Further Adventures from the History of the Lone Wolf by Vance, Louis Joseph