turbid

adjective

tur·​bid ˈtər-bəd How to pronounce turbid (audio)
1
a
: thick or opaque with or as if with roiled sediment
a turbid stream
b
: heavy with smoke or mist
2
a
: deficient in clarity or purity : foul, muddy
turbid depths of degradation and miseryC. I. Glicksberg
b
: characterized by or producing obscurity (as of mind or emotions)
an emotionally turbid response
turbidity noun
turbidly adverb
turbidness noun

Did you know?

Turbid and turgid (which means "swollen or distended" or "overblown, pompous, or bombastic") are frequently mistaken for one another, and it's no wonder. Not only do the two words differ by only a letter, they are often used in contexts where either word could fit. For example, a flooded stream can be simultaneously cloudy and swollen, and badly written prose might be both unclear and grandiloquent. Nevertheless, the distinction between these two words, however fine, is an important one for conveying exact shades of meaning, so it's a good idea to keep them straight. Turbid, like its relative turbulent, comes ultimately from the Latin noun turba, meaning "confusion" or "crowd."

Example Sentences

the pond water became turbid from our swimming and splashing
Recent Examples on the Web The satellite imagery also reveals darker material flowing out into the Gulf from land — turbid discharges from flooding caused by storm surges and overflowing rivers. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2022 The semi-turbid waters of Caney Creek gurgled down from a nearby hillside. Rick Childress, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 The water is also more turbid, which prevents growing phytoplankton from receiving enough light. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2010 The humans cannot see the fish through the turbid water. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 1 May 2012 Water service was cut to more than 760,000 customers — two thirds of the total on the island — because of turbid water at filtration plants or lack of power, officials said. DÁnica Coto, ajc, 20 Sep. 2022 Water service was cut to more than 837,000 customers – two-thirds of the total on the island – because of turbid water at filtration plants or lack of power, officials said. Maricarmen Rivera Sanchez And Dánica Coto, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2022 More than 837,000 customers had their water service cut because of turbid water at filtration plants or lack of power, according to authorities. Landon Mion, Fox News, 20 Sep. 2022 Water service was cut to more than 837,000 customers — two-thirds of the total on the island — because of turbid water at filtration plants or lack of power, officials said. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turbid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin turbidus confused, turbid, from turba confusion, crowd, probably from Greek tyrbē confusion

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of turbid was in 1626

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Dictionary Entries Near turbid

Cite this Entry

“Turbid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbid. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

turbid

adjective
tur·​bid ˈtər-bəd How to pronounce turbid (audio)
: clouded or discolored by sediment
a turbid stream
turbidity noun

Medical Definition

turbid

adjective
tur·​bid ˈtər-bəd How to pronounce turbid (audio)
: thick or opaque with matter in suspension : cloudy or muddy in appearance
turbid urine

More from Merriam-Webster on turbid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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