muddied

Describes something that has been made muddy or unclear; can be used literally (covered in mud) or figuratively (made confused or obscure).

• 🇫🇷Qualifie quelque chose qui est devenu sale ou trouble ; peut s'employer au sens littéral (couvert de boue) ou au sens figuré (embrouillé, confus ou peu clair).

1. Made dirty with mud B1 formal

   Covered or stained with mud.

   • The hiker's boots were completely muddied after the walk.
   • The dog ran inside with muddied paws.
   • The field was muddied from the heavy rain.

   🇫🇷crotté

   Synonymes: muckymuddysoiledspatteredsplashed

   Antonymes: cleanpristinewashed

2. Made unclear or confused B2 formal

   Made something less clear, pure, or simple; often used figuratively.

   • The debate was muddied by irrelevant arguments.
   • His reputation was muddied by the false accusations.
   • The original message was muddied by poor translation.

   🇫🇷embrouillé, obscurci

   Synonymes: befuddledblurredcloudedcomplicatedconfusedfoggedmuddledtangled

   Antonymes: clearedsimplified

3. Dull or impure in color B2 formal

   Having a color that is not bright or clear, often due to mixing or impurities.

   • The painting had a muddied palette of browns and grays.
   • The once vibrant blue became muddied after the spill.
   • The water appeared muddied and opaque.

   🇫🇷terne, boueux

   Synonymes: cloudydingydrabdullfadedlusterlessmuddymurkyturbid

   Antonymes: brightclearvivid

• more muddied comparative form
• most muddied superlative form

A verb used to indicate the act of making something unclear, confusing, or dirty, often used figuratively.

• 🇫🇷Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de rendre quelque chose trouble, confus ou sale, souvent au sens figuré pour embrouiller une situation ou un propos.

1. Make dirty with mud B1 formal

   To cover or stain something with mud, making it dirty.

   • The children muddied their shoes while playing in the garden.
   • He accidentally muddied the clean floor with his boots.
   • The rain muddied the path, making it slippery.

   🇫🇷Salir avec de la boue

   Synonymes: begrimebemirecakedirtymiresmearsoilsplatterstainsully

   Antonymes: cleanpurifywash

2. Cause to become unclear or confused B2 formal

   To make a situation, issue, or idea less clear or more confusing.

   • His vague statements only muddied the discussion.
   • The new evidence muddied the waters of the investigation.
   • Don't muddy the issue with irrelevant details.

   🇫🇷embrouiller

   Synonymes: blurcloudcomplicateconfusefogmuddleobfuscateobscure

   Antonymes: clarifyclearelucidateexplainilluminate

3. Make water or liquid turbid B2 formal

   To stir up sediment in a liquid, making it cloudy or unclear.

   • The heavy rain muddied the river water.
   • Walking through the pond muddied the clear water.
   • The storm muddied the lake, reducing visibility.

   🇫🇷Troubler un liquide

   Synonymes: agitatebefoulchurnclouddirtyfoulroilstir up

   Antonymes: clarifyfilterpurify

• muddied past participle
• muddied past simple
• muddying present participle
• muddies third person singular

Variantes phrasal: muddy up