elmosódott

Elmosódott is a Hungarian adjective that describes a state of lack of sharpness or clarity. It is typically used for things whose outlines or details are not clearly defined, such as images, contours, colors, memories, or other perceptual experiences. The term conveys a sense of transition from distinct to vague, often implying that the blur arises from insufficient light, movement, distance, or fading.

The word is formed from the verb elmosódik, meaning to become blurred or smeared, with the prefix el- signaling a change of state and the suffix -ott marking the past participle used as an adjective. As an attributive adjective, elmosódott agrees with the noun it describes (e.g., elmosódott képe, elmosódott kontúrok). It is closely related to, but not always interchangeable with, homályos, another common Hungarian synonym for hazy or unclear.

Typical contexts for elmosódott include visual descriptions (a elmosódott kép a képen), textual or verbal memories (elmosódott emlékek), and abstract notions such as boundaries or distinctions (elmosódott határvonal). The term can carry nuance beyond mere visual blur, suggesting a softened, less definite, or more impressionistic quality.

See also: homályos, elmosódás, elhomályosodás. In English, the closest equivalents are blurred, fuzzy, or indistinct, depending on the context.