Muddy: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is best used when referring to something covered or filled with mud, making it difficult to see clearly or navigate. Typically, it describes conditions or surfaces, such as roads, fields, or waters.

• The path was so muddy after the rain that we could hardly walk.
• The muddy river made it impossible to see the bottom.

Appropriate for describing objects or surfaces that are unclean and have various types of grime or stains on them. This word has a broader usage than 'muddy' and can refer to anything not clean.

• Her hands were dirty from working in the garden.
• We need to clean the dirty dishes before dinner.

Best used when referring to something that is wet and messy, but not necessarily muddy. It often describes conditions or work that is careless or lackluster, and sometimes has a slightly negative connotation.

• The field was too sloppy to play on after the heavy rain.
• Her sloppy writing made the report difficult to read.

Often used to describe something that is extremely dirty, sticky, or covered in a mix of substances, including mud and grime. It has a more intense connotation than 'dirty' and sometimes carries a negative or unpleasant tone.

• After playing football in the rain, the kids came home all mucky.
• The mucky bathroom needed a thorough cleaning.

Use 'muddy' when something is covered or filled with mud. This is often used in the context of outdoor activities or weather conditions.

• After the hike, their boots were muddy.
• The heavy rain made the roads muddy.

Use 'dirty' when something is generally unclean or not tidy. It can refer to a variety of substances and situations.

• The kitchen is dirty after cooking a big meal.
• His shirt was dirty from playing outside.

Use 'sully' when referring to damaging or spoiling someone's reputation or the purity of something. This word often has a negative connotation.

• The scandal sullied his good name.
• Don't sully the beauty of this place with trash.

Use 'stain' to describe a specific spot or mark that is difficult to remove, often on clothes, carpets, or furniture.

• She tried to remove the wine stain from her dress.
• The coffee left a stain on the table.