Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Cloudy, murky, or opaque due to suspended matter: Used primarily to describe liquids that are not clear because they contain stirred-up particles or sediment.
   • Confused or muddled in thought or expression: Used in a figurative sense to describe ideas, language, or situations that are unclear, disordered, or obscure.

Usage Examples

• Describing liquids:
  • The river became turbid after the heavy rain washed soil into it.
  • Do not drink the turbid water from the pond without purifying it first.
• Describing abstract concepts (figurative):
  • His argument was so turbid and convoluted that no one could follow it.
  • The political situation remains turbid, with no clear resolution in sight.

Advanced Usage

• "Turbid with": Used to specify the cause of the cloudiness.
  • The stream was turbid with glacial silt.
• In scientific contexts (e.g., limnology, environmental science), turbidity is a key measurement of water clarity.
  • Scientists measured the turbidity of the lake to assess pollution levels.

Variants and Related Words

• Turbidity (noun): The quality or state of being turbid; cloudiness.
  • High turbidity can harm aquatic life by blocking sunlight.
• Turbidly (adverb): In a turbid manner.
  • The thoughts swirled turbidly in his mind.

Synonyms

• Murky: Dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist or sediment in water.
• Cloudy: (Of a liquid) not transparent or clear.
• Muddy: Covered in or full of mud; (of a liquid) cloudy with mud.
• Opaque: Not able to be seen through; not transparent. (Note: Often implies a more complete blockage of light than ).
• Muddled: Confused in thought. (Figurative synonym).

Antonyms

• Clear: Transparent; unclouded.
• Limpid: (Of a liquid or the eyes) clear.
• Lucid: Expressed clearly; easy to understand. (Figurative antonym).

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Turbid waters: Often used literally for muddy water, but can be a metaphor for a confusing, complex, or dangerous situation.
  • Navigating the turbid waters of international diplomacy requires skill.
• A turbid mind: A state of mental confusion.
  • Grief left her with a turbid mind, unable to make simple decisions.

Adjective

1. (of liquids) clouded as with sediment
   • a cloudy liquid
   • muddy coffee
   • murky waters