What is cloudy? Pronunciation and usage in English

cloudy means . Learn how to pronounce and use cloudy through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of cloudy

cloudyadjective

/ˈklaʊdi/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "cloudy" in English. Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "cloudy" has two syllables:

  • cloud
  • -y

2. Pronunciation Breakdown:

  • "Cloud":

    • “cl” – Pronounced like "cl" in "class."
    • “ou” – This is the trickiest part! It’s pronounced like the "oo" in "moon" or "boot." It’s a diphthong – a combination of two vowel sounds blending together.
    • “d” – Pronounced like “d” in “dog.”

  • “-y”:

    • This is pronounced like the “ee” in “see.” It’s a short, clear "ee" sound.

3. Putting it together:

Say it all together: "Cloud-y" (Think: "Cloud" + "ee")

4. Audio Examples (Highly Recommended!)

  • Google: Search "how to pronounce cloudy" on Google and you'll find audio pronunciations instantly.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/cloudy/ – This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different accents.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "oo" sound in “cloud”. This is the most common mistake people make. Really elongate that "oo" sound a little.
  • Don't stress the “y” It’s a light, quick sound.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you a different example word and break down its pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word cloudy in English

Let's break down how to use the word "cloudy" in English. It has several meanings and ways to incorporate it into your sentences.

1. Describing the Sky & Weather:

  • Most Common Use: "Cloudy" primarily means having clouds in the sky, obscuring the sun or sky.
    • Example: "It's a cloudy day; I don't think I'll go swimming."
    • Variations: “Partly cloudy,” “mostly cloudy,” “overcast” (similar meaning).

2. Descriptive of Appearance (General):

  • Hazy or Dull: “Cloudy” can also describe something that looks hazy, indistinct, or dull in color. It’s not just about clouds; it’s about a lack of sharpness or brightness.
    • Example: “The lake was cloudy with algae.” (meaning it looked murky and dull)
    • Example: "The photos came out cloudy - I need to adjust the lighting."
    • Example: "Her eyes were cloudy with tears." (meaning they were misty and not clear).

3. Figurative/Metaphorical Use:

  • Confused or Uncertain: "Cloudy" can be used to describe a state of confusion, uncertainty, or lack of clarity in thoughts or feelings. This is less common but important to note.
    • Example: "I had a cloudy recollection of the event." (meaning I didn't remember it clearly)
    • Example: "His explanation was cloudy and difficult to understand." (meaning unclear and vague)

4. In Computing (Specifically 'Cloud Computing'):

  • Digital Storage/Services: "Cloud" refers to a network of servers hosted remotely, and “cloudy” is often used to describe data or services that are not readily available or are experiencing issues.
    • Example: “My internet connection was cloudy all afternoon.” (meaning unreliable)

Here’s a breakdown with examples to illustrate:

Meaning Example
Sky – Cloudy Weather "The sky is cloudy with rain coming."
Appearance – Hazy/Dull "The coffee was cloudy after it sat too long."
Appearance – Murky “The water in the pond was cloudy.”
Thoughts/Feelings – Uncertain “I had a cloudy feeling about the decision.”
Computing – Unreliable Connection “The website was cloudy today.”

Tips for Using "Cloudy":

  • Context is key: The meaning of "cloudy" depends heavily on the context.
  • Consider synonyms: If you want to vary your language, think about synonyms like: hazy, dim, murky, opaque, indistinct, unclear, or uncertain.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write or say when you want to use the word "cloudy"? (e.g., a description of weather, a reflection on a feeling, a technical explanation?)

Synonyms for the word cloudy

Practice with vocabulary cloudy

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The forecast indicates a _________ sky tomorrow, making it less ideal for stargazing.
  2. Due to the _________ weather, the visibility on the mountain pass was significantly reduced, causing delays.
  3. The city skyline was barely visible through the thick morning _________, suggesting a humid day ahead.
  4. Despite the team's efforts, the project's financial projections remained somewhat _________, lacking precise figures for Q4.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which word best describes a sky covered with clouds, making it dim and grey? a) Sunny b) Clear c) Cloudy d) Bright

  2. If an explanation is difficult to understand or lacks clarity, it can be described as: a) Precise b) Lucid c) Cloudy d) Ambiguous

  3. The weather report predicted _______ skies for the afternoon, so the outdoor photography workshop was postponed. a) Sunny b) Overcast c) Clear d) Cloudy

  4. The details of the ancient text were _______, making scholarly interpretation challenging without further context. a) Obvious b) Vivid c) Obscure d) Plain

  5. Which terms describe a situation where information is not clearly defined or is open to multiple interpretations? a) Explicit b) Ambiguous c) Vague d) Direct

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sky was completely covered with grey clouds, indicating bad weather. (Rewrite using "cloudy")
  2. His explanation of the new policy was not very clear, leaving many questions unanswered. (Rewrite using "cloudy" or a related word form)
  3. The instructions for assembling the furniture were so unclear that I had to guess some steps. (Rewrite without using "cloudy" or its related forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. cloudy
  2. cloudy
  3. haze
  4. unclear

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Cloudy
  2. c) Cloudy, d) Ambiguous
  3. b) Overcast, d) Cloudy
  4. c) Obscure
  5. b) Ambiguous, c) Vague

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sky was cloudy, indicating bad weather.
  2. His explanation of the new policy was somewhat cloudy, leaving many questions unanswered.
  3. The instructions for assembling the furniture were so vague that I had to guess some steps.

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