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Added 9 October 2026

muddy

/ˈmʌdi/ adjective

In Latin: līmōsus, luteolus, luteus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about muddy at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Covered or splashed with, or full of, mud (“wet soil”).
He slogged across the muddy field.
Of water or some other liquid: containing mud or other sediment in suspension; cloudy, turbid.
The previously limpid water was now muddy as a result of the struggle between the alligator and the wild boar.
Of or relating to mud; also, having the characteristics of mud, especially in colour or taste.

verb

To cover or splash (someone or something) with mud.
If you muddy your shoes don’t wear them inside.
To cover or splash (someone or something) with mud.
If you muddy your shoes don’t wear them inside.
To make (water or some other liquid) cloudy or turbid by stirring up mud or other sediment.

noun

The edible mud crab or mangrove crab (Scylla serrata).

Origin

The adjective is derived from Late Middle English muddi, moddy, muddy (“covered with or full of mud, muddy”), from mud, mudde (“mud; turbid water”) + -i (suffix forming adjectives). Mud, mudde is possibly borrowed from Middle Dutch modde, and/or Middle Low German modde, mudde, from Proto-Germanic *mud-, *mudra- (“mud”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *mū-, *mew- (“moist”). The English word is analysable as mud + -y (suffix meaning ‘having the quality of’ forming adjectives). Doublet of muddle. The verb is derived from the adjective. cognates * Middle Low German moddich, muddich (German Low German muddig (“muddy; mouldy”))

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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