The word "cloudy" is spelled with six letters, and the IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈklaʊdi/. The first sound is the voiced velar plosive /ɡ/, followed by the unvoiced alveolar affricate /tʃ/. The next sound is the unvoiced alveolar lateral fricative /ɬ/. The final three sounds are a diphthong, starting with the open back unrounded vowel /aʊ/ and ending with the unvoiced alveolar fricative /s/. The combination of these sounds creates the word "cloudy," which describes a day with many clouds in the sky.
Cloudy is an adjective that refers to the atmospheric condition characterized by the presence of clouds, which are masses of condensed water vapor or ice crystals suspended in the Earth's atmosphere. The term can also describe a similar appearance or condition in other contexts.
In meteorology, a cloudy day is one in which the sky is partially or predominantly covered by clouds, obstructing the brightness and clarity normally associated with a clear sky. The density, type, and altitude of the clouds can vary, resulting in different levels of cloud cover and visibility. Cloudy conditions are often associated with the absence or reduced intensity of direct sunlight, leading to dimmer lighting and cooler temperatures.
In a figurative sense, cloudy can describe something that is unclear, doubtful, or lacking in transparency. It is used to suggest a lack of understanding, clarity, or straightforwardness in a particular situation, idea, or concept. For example, a cloudy future implies uncertainty or ambiguity regarding what lies ahead. Similarly, a cloudy mind insinuates confusion, lack of focus, or difficulty in thinking clearly. This metaphorical use of the term emphasizes a lack of clarity or precision, much like the obscured view caused by actual clouds in the sky.
Overcast; obscure; gloomy; dispiriting; semiopaque.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cloudy" has its roots in the Old English word "cludig" or "cloudig", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "kludwaz". This Proto-Germanic term is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kleud-", meaning "to hear or listen". The connection between this root and "cloudy" comes from the idea of clouds being associated with the dark and stormy weather conditions when one might strain to listen or observe their surroundings. Over time, the word "cloudy" has evolved to refer to weather conditions characterized by clouds, resulting in its modern usage.