murky

adjective

ˈmər-kē 

murkier; murkiest

1

: characterized by a heavy dimness or obscurity caused by or like that caused by overhanging fog or smoke

the murky bottom of the lake

2

: characterized by thickness and heaviness of air : foggy, misty

Handicapped by my seasickness and by the murky skies, I hardly ever could make my star sights work.

—Robert Shenk

3

: darkly vague or obscure

murky official rhetoric

He offered a murky explanation.

murkily

ˈmər-kə-lē 

adverb

murkiness

ˈmər-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of murky

• darkened
• dark

Examples of murky in a Sentence

She peered into one of the church's murky chapels.

a politician with a murky past

Recent Examples on the Web

While details remain murky, all sides have confirmed discussions are underway. — Willem Marx, NPR, 8 Nov. 2026

Six months after his murky inquiry into truth and persona on The Real Me, Future has brought along some pals to launch a new phase. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

But data on the most serious risks — overdose and death — are murky. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 6 Nov. 2026

But the meteoric takeoff of karaoke has soared far past its humble—and slightly murky—origins. — Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing murky

• murky waters

Rhymes for murky

• jerky
• perky
• quirky
• turki

Kids Definition

murky

adjective

ˈmər-kē 

murkier; murkiest

1

: very dark or gloomy

2

: foggy sense 1, misty

3

: difficult to understand

a murky reply designed to confuse

murkiness noun