hazy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'hazy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, a memory, a dream, or an object. Example sentence: "The hazy sky was filled with clouds of purple and pink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Little wonder that fairness as a moral ideal can be dismissed as hazy romanticism and the ethical imperative of the green-eyed monster.

The Guardian - Opinion

In it Cameron admits he is "hardly a model church-going, God-fearing Christian" and that he is "a bit hazy on the finer points of our faith".

The Guardian

The polls were always likely to be subject to bias, and now we have learnt that this bias proved all-important More concrete still, what if the sort of person who only ever thinks about politics once every five years, whose vote might turn on a hazy sense of which leader they most trust not to screw up the economy, is disinclined to join internet panels?

The Guardian - Opinion

This figure gives us an estimate for the diameter of the hazy ball that these sites and links form.

The Guardian - Tech

And after every hairpin, a new view revealed itself: vast, cocoa-coloured mountains fading to a hazy blue, bisected by a thin grey road.

The Guardian - Travel

By 6pm, the grey clouds that had hovered over London for more than an hour parted to disclose a patch of hazy blue sky above Hyde Park and the air filled with the popping of corks and the smell of not-so-cheap burgers.

The Guardian - Music

The bigoted caricature of a Hollywood industry type is a hazy amalgam of hook-nosed Jew and sandal-wearing hippy – but this is clearly nonsense, underlined by one of Feinberg confidantes.

The Guardian - Film

Her two sets of wings, with a span of 10cm, were a little wider than the body was long and the bright light picked out their golden leading edge; the wings' hazy blue surface stretched and puckered across their black lattice.

The Guardian

His recollection of what happened next is hazy.

The Guardian

As I travelled I met new terms as well as salvaging old ones: a painter in the Western Isles who used landskein to refer to the braid of blue horizon lines on a hazy day; a five-year-old girl who concocted honeyfur to describe the soft seeds of grasses pinched between fingertips.

The Guardian - Books

The panoramic views were awe-inspiring: hazy blue skies, emerald summits stretching endlessly into the distance.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hazy" to describe conditions that are not entirely clear, whether physically (like a "hazy" sky) or mentally (like a "hazy" memory). Consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym for greater precision.

Common error

While "hazy" is suitable for many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing where precise language is crucial. Opt for more specific terms like "ambiguous", "unclear", or "undefined" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "hazy" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being unclear, indistinct, or obscured. It is frequently used to depict atmospheric conditions, memories, or concepts lacking clarity, aligning with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "hazy" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of indistinctness or lack of clarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits well in various contexts, from describing weather conditions to abstract concepts. While grammatically correct and common, particularly in News & Media, careful consideration should be given to choosing more precise synonyms in formal writing. When aiming for vivid descriptions or conveying ambiguity, "hazy" serves as an effective choice, with alternatives like "foggy", "blurred", and "vague" offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foggy

Describes a condition of reduced visibility due to fog.

fuzzy

Implies a lack of sharpness or definition, often referring to visual or auditory perception.

blurred

Emphasizes the lack of sharp focus or clarity in appearance or perception.

vague

Highlights the lack of specific detail or precision.

indistinct

Focuses on the lack of clear definition or boundaries.

obscure

Suggests that something is hidden, not easily discovered, or understood.

misty

Conveys a sense of being covered by or resembling mist, reducing visibility.

cloudy

Relates to a lack of transparency, often used in a literal or figurative sense.

bleary

Indicates a lack of focus or clarity, often associated with tiredness or intoxication.

dim

Emphasizes a lack of brightness or clarity in light or visibility.

FAQs

How can I use "hazy" in a sentence?

"Hazy" can describe weather conditions (a "hazy" morning), memories (a "hazy" recollection), or concepts (a "hazy" understanding). For example, "The mountains were shrouded in a "foggy", "hazy" mist".

What are some synonyms for "hazy"?

Synonyms include "foggy", "misty", "blurred", "vague", and "obscure". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hazy" in academic writing?

While "hazy" isn't inherently inappropriate, consider whether a more precise term would better suit the context. In some cases, "unclear" or "ill-defined" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "hazy" and "foggy"?

"Foggy" specifically refers to a weather condition with reduced visibility due to fog. "Hazy" is broader and can describe atmospheric conditions, memories, or ideas that lack clarity. A "hazy" day might have some atmospheric obscurity, but not necessarily be as dense as a "foggy" day.