Definition

The state of being dirty or covered in mud and filth.

Example

The muckiness of the river made it unsafe for swimming.

Conversation

Did you see the state of the park after the rain yesterday?

Yeah, it was a mess! The muckiness was everywhere.

I know, right? It’s such a shame because it used to be so nice.

Totally! I hope they clean it up soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Muckiness → It is formed from "muck" (from Old English *mycce*, meaning wet, muddy earth or filth) and "-iness" (meaning the quality of being). The word "muckiness" refers to the quality of being muddy or filthy.

Memory Tip

Think of 'muck' as wet, dirty earth, and '-iness' as the quality of that dirtiness. This helps you remember that 'muckiness' means the state of being muddy or filthy.

Visually Confused Words