What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cloudy
Example
It's a cloudy day, so we should bring an umbrella. [cloudy: adjective]
Example
The water in the pond looked cloudy and dirty. [cloudy: adjective]
murky
Example
The river appeared murky after the heavy rain. [murky: adjective]
Example
The detective was investigating a murky case involving multiple suspects. [murky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cloudy is more commonly used than murky in everyday language. Cloudy is a common term used to describe weather conditions, while murky is less frequently used and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cloudy and murky?
Both cloudy and murky are relatively informal words. However, cloudy can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while murky is more commonly used in informal or creative writing.