Clayey: meaning, definitions and examples

Alternative spelling of 'clayey', often used in the same contexts.

• The garden bed had a clayey texture, making it tough to till.

Describes something that is covered in or full of mud. Can be used literally for physical mud or metaphorically for unclear situations. Often has a negative connotation.

• After the rain, the path became too muddy to walk on.
• The explanation was so muddy that nobody understood it.

Used to describe something that adheres easily to other surfaces or substances. Can be used for both literal and figurative sticky situations.

• The glue was too sticky to handle.
• They're stuck in a really sticky financial situation.

To describe something that resembles or has the qualities of clay, but is not necessarily composed of clay.

• The material felt clay-like in my hands, although it wasn’t actual clay.

Used to describe soil or material that has a high content of clay, making it thick and sticky, often in geological or agricultural settings.

• The road became slippery and difficult to navigate after the rain due to the clayey soil
• Farmers often find clayey fields challenging to cultivate

Indicates that a material can be easily shaped or bent without breaking, typically used in the context of metals or figuratively to describe someone's personality.

• Gold is known for being malleable, allowing it to be formed into various shapes
• He has a malleable nature, making him easy to get along with

Describes materials that are easily bent, often used to describe qualities in softer materials, or metaphorically to refer to people who are easily influenced.

• This new type of rubber is extremely pliable, ideal for flexible hoses
• The young tree branches are still pliable and can be trained to grow in a certain shape

Describes something that can bend easily without breaking, often used for objects, materials, or even describing a person's ability to adapt to changes.

• This material is flexible, making it perfect for creating bendable phone cases
• She is very flexible with her schedule