Cloudlike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Cloudlike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that resembles or has qualities similar to clouds, often in terms of appearance or texture. Example: "The artist's painting had a cloudlike quality, with soft, swirling colors that evoked a sense of tranquility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A single bite of cloudlike scallop-and-lobster dumpling in cherrystone-scented soup testifies to the benefits of the process.

The New York Times - Food

Its ownership structure is set up to protect that vision.Ironically, there is something rather cloudlike about the multiple complaints surrounding Google.

The Economist

He created an ethereal, semitransparent grid of white steel tubes that merged with the landscape, at once cloudlike and formal in its composition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This structure is termed the electric double layer and is illustrated in Figure 2. Thermal motion of the positive ions in the solution makes the condenser plate on the electrolyte side of the interface diffuse i.e., the ions are distributed in a cloudlike way.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the early 1920s Hubble detected 15 stars in the small, irregular cloudlike object NGC 6822 that varied in luminosity, and he suspected that they might include Cepheids.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A few small nebulous, or cloudlike, patches in the night sky are visible to the naked eye and had been mentioned by ancient Greek and medieval Arabic astronomers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In most cases, interstellar matter occurs in cloudlike concentrations, which sometimes condense enough to form stars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The brightest of these cloudlike objects are the emission nebulae, large complexes of interstellar gas and stars in which the gas exists in an ionized and excited state (with the electrons of the atoms excited to a higher than normal energy level).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The day before, flying over the same island in another helicopter, she had noticed a milky, cloudlike formation in the water off a rocky point — the milt, or sperm, of spawning herring.

The New Yorker

"I backed the lace in thin layers of cream silk radzimir and cloudlike silk netting," she writes.

The New Yorker

Madame de Merteuil, Les Liaisonss Dangereuses" Brillat Savarin The unctuous melt of the triple-cream Brillat Savarin, with its ludicrously cloudlike yet rich constitution and its sharp and shallow savor, is reminiscent of that most cruel and aristocratic Frenchwoman, Madame de Merteuil.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing textures or visual characteristics, use "cloudlike" to evoke a sense of softness, lightness, and ethereality. It's particularly effective in creative writing and descriptive passages.

Common error

Avoid using "cloudlike" in formal scientific or technical writing where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific and descriptive terms relevant to the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

Cloudlike functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that has qualities similar to a cloud. As Ludwig AI indicates, this includes appearance, texture, or lightness. Examples show it used to describe food, art, and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Cloudlike" is a descriptive adjective widely used to convey a sense of softness, lightness, and ethereality. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, especially in news and media. Its function is to create vivid imagery, enhancing descriptions of texture and appearance. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in technical contexts where precision is key. Synonyms like "fluffy" or "ethereal" can provide alternative nuances, depending on the intended meaning. "Cloudlike" finds its place in everything from food descriptions to art reviews, adding a touch of dreamy quality to the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fluffy

Describes the light and airy quality, often used for textures.

Ethereal

Emphasizes the delicate and light quality, suggesting something heavenly or otherworldly.

Billowy

Suggests a swelling, undulating shape like a cloud in motion.

Nebulous

Focuses on the indistinct or vague form, resembling a cloud or haze.

Airy

Indicates lightness and openness, like the airiness of clouds.

Cottony

Highlights the soft, fluffy texture similar to cotton.

Fleecy

Emphasizes a soft, wool-like appearance.

Downy

Refers to the soft, fine texture of down feathers.

Vaporous

Suggests a misty or hazy quality, similar to vapor.

Light as a feather

Uses a simile to express extreme lightness, comparable to a feather floating in the air.

FAQs

How can I use "cloudlike" in a sentence?

You can use "cloudlike" to describe something that resembles a cloud in appearance or texture. For example, "The dessert had a "cloudlike" consistency" or "The artist created "cloudlike" sculptures."

What are some synonyms for "cloudlike"?

Alternatives to "cloudlike" include "fluffy", "ethereal", "nebulous", and "airy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "cloudlike" a formal or informal word?

"Cloudlike" is generally considered a descriptive and evocative word suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's most commonly found in descriptive writing and less so in highly technical or scientific contexts.

What is the difference between "cloudlike" and "cloudy"?

"Cloudlike" describes something that resembles a cloud, while "cloudy" typically refers to something obscured or overcast by clouds. For example, a "cloudlike texture" is soft and airy, while a "cloudy day" has many clouds in the sky.