Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Full of or covered with clouds: Describes the sky or weather when clouds are present, often implying overcast conditions.
   • Not clear or transparent: Describes a liquid or substance that is murky, opaque, or has particles suspended in it, preventing clear vision through it.
   • Unclear, vague, or confused: Describes ideas, thoughts, expressions, or situations that are not easily understood, lacking clarity or definition.

Examples of Usage

• Describing the sky or weather:
  • The forecast predicts a cloudy day with a chance of rain in the afternoon.
  • We postponed the picnic because of the cloudy skies.
• Describing a liquid or substance:
  • The water from the old pipes was cloudy and not safe to drink.
  • After shaking the bottle, the juice became cloudy.
• Describing unclear thoughts or expressions:
  • His memory of the event was cloudy and full of gaps.
  • The contract's terms were cloudy, leading to a misunderstanding.

Advanced Usage

• "cloudy with a chance of...": A common phrase in weather forecasts, often used humorously or figuratively to indicate uncertainty mixed with possibility.
  • The team's future is cloudy with a chance of a major restructuring.
• "not a cloud in the sky / not cloudy at all": Used figuratively to indicate that something is perfectly clear, with no problems or ambiguities.
  • Her explanation was so good, there's not a cloud of doubt in my mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Cloud (n/v): The visible mass of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere; to become overcast or obscure.
• Cloudiness (n): The state or quality of being cloudy.
  • The cloudiness of the water indicated contamination.
• Clouded (adj): Made obscure, gloomy, or confused; often used for liquids or judgment.
  • His judgment was clouded by emotion.

Synonyms

• Overcast: (For sky) covered with clouds.
• Murky / Muddy: (For liquid) dark and dirty, not clear.
• Vague / Nebulous / Unclear: (For ideas) not clearly expressed or defined.

Related Idioms

• Have one's head in the clouds: To be daydreaming or not paying attention to reality.
  • He can't focus on his work; he always has his head in the clouds.
• Every cloud has a silver lining: A saying that means every bad situation has some aspect of hope or good.
  • I lost my job, but every cloud has a silver lining—now I can go back to school.
• Under a cloud: To be under suspicion or in a state of disgrace.
  • The minister resigned while under a cloud of scandal.

Adjective

1. (of liquids) clouded as with sediment
   • a cloudy liquid
   • muddy coffee
   • murky waters
2. full of or covered with clouds
   • cloudy skies
3. lacking definite form or limits
   • gropes among cloudy issues toward a feeble conclusion- H.T.Moore
   • nebulous distinction between pride and conceit