boggy

Boggy is an English adjective describing terrain or ground that is wet, soft, and spongy, often due to the presence of peat or standing water. Boggy ground is characteristic of bogs and other peatlands and can be difficult to traverse because it yields underfoot and may be prone to subsidence or hidden water.

The word boggy derives from bog, the noun for a marshy, waterlogged area, with the suffix -y forming adjectives that denote a quality or characteristic. The exact origins of bog itself are uncertain, with multiple possible cognates in Old Norse, Old English, and other Germanic sources.

In geography, ecology, and horticulture, boggy describes soil conditions that are water-saturated, soft, and often low in oxygen. In land management, identifying boggy areas helps determine drainage needs and accessibility. The term is commonly used in descriptions of landscapes, trails, and soils in wet climates or peat-rich regions.

Related terms include bog, marsh, fen, mire, and peatland; soggy and waterlogged are common synonyms in everyday language.