Blurry

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈblɜːɹi/

Definitions

1. Not clear or sharp in appearance, with indistinct edges or details that are difficult to see precisely
2. Lacking clarity or focus, often resulting in a hazy effect where boundaries and details are not sharply defined
3. Characterized by a loss of fine detail, creating an indistinct image that may appear smudged or unclear

Etymology: "Blurry" is a plain formation: the adjective "blur" with the suffix "-y," which turns a noun or verb into a description of something having that quality. The base "blur" is the more interesting piece. It is traced back to Middle English "blure," a word that once meant a stain or smear, and the suffix itself has a long pedigree, descending through Old English "-ig" and "-i" from forms that go back to Proto-Germanic "-gaz" and beyond. The suffix is the reason "blurry" sounds so natural. English has used "-y" for centuries to build adjectives such as "rainy," "dusty," and "hairy," all describing a surface or condition marked by something. "Blurry" follows the same pattern, so the word describes an image that looks as if it has been smeared, with its edges and details run together.

Synonyms: fuzzy, hazy, indistinct

Antonyms: clear, sharp