different between fuzzy vs fudgy

English

Etymology

Uncertain. Apparently from fuzz +? -y, though some sources suggest that fuzz derives from fuzzy. Compare fozy, or Low German fussig (“loose; spongy”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f?zi/

• Rhymes: -?zi

Adjective

fuzzy (comparative fuzzier, superlative fuzziest)

1. Covered with fuzz or a large number of tiny loose fibres like a carpet or many stuffed animals
2. Vague or imprecise.

   My recollection of that event is fuzzy.

3. Not clear; unfocused.

   I finally threw out a large stack of fuzzy photos.

4. (computing theory) Employing or relating to fuzzy logic.

Synonyms

• (covered with fuzz):
• (vague or imprecise): ambiguous, equivocal; see also Thesaurus:vague
• (not clear): blurry, ill-defined; see also Thesaurus:indistinct

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

fuzzy (plural fuzzies)

1. (often in the plural) A very small piece of plush material.

   You've got a fuzzy on your coat.

2. Something covered with fuzz or hair, as an animal or plush toy.
3. (slang) A person, especially a college student, interested in humanities or social sciences, as opposed to one interested in mathematics, science, or engineering.
4. (slang, military) A soldier with the rank of private.

Derived terms

• warm fuzzy

References

• fuzzy, adj. Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.
• fuzzy. Frederick C. Mish (Editor in Chief), Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Merriam-Webster, 1994. ?OCLC

English

Alternative forms

• fudgey

Etymology

fudge +? -y

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -?d?i

Adjective

fudgy (comparative fudgier, superlative fudgiest)

1. Resembling fudge, as in flavor or texture.
   • 1997, Lorrie Moore, People Like That Are the Only People Here

     She twice let the Baby’s ears get fudgy with wax.

2. (figuratively) Fuzzy, imprecise.
   • 1993, Steven J. Wagner, Richard Wagner, Naturalism: A Critical Appraisal (page 72)

     The hundred years after Euler represented a period in which functions not satisfying his "official" constraints were frequently smuggled into mathematics through fudgy considerations involving infinite series expansions and the like.

3. (archaic) Irritable.
4. (archaic) Awkward.