cloudy
The sky looked cloudy all morning, so we decided to stay indoors.
The sky was filled with clouds, making it appear dark and overcast.
Covered with or characterized by clouds; overcast.
It's too cloudy to see the stars tonight.
The sky is too covered with clouds to view the stars.
She prefers cloudy days for photography because the light is softer.
She likes taking photos on days when the sky is covered with clouds for gentler lighting.
Often used to describe weather conditions. Can also metaphorically describe unclear or uncertain situations.
Unclear or confused in mind; muddled.
His explanation left me feeling cloudy about the project's goals.
His unclear explanation made me confused about what the project was supposed to achieve.
Less common than the primary definition, but used in informal contexts.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'cloudy' from similar words
Use 'cloudy' for skies covered with clouds. Use 'foggy' for low visibility due to fog, and 'hazy' for a slight obscurity or lack of clarity in the air.
Gold Rule
Weather vs. Figurative Use
Use 'cloudy' literally for weather (e.g., 'a cloudy day') and figuratively for confusion (e.g., 'a cloudy explanation').
Word Origin
From Middle English 'cloude' (cloud) + '-y' (suffix denoting 'characterized by'). The word 'cloud' dates back to Old English 'clūd', originally meaning 'rock mass' but later associated with the sky due to resemblance.
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe weather. Avoid using it to describe objects unless referring to their appearance (e.g., 'a cloudy glass' means the glass is not transparent).