grumlig

Grumlig is an adjective used in Swedish (also found in Danish and Norwegian with the same meaning) to describe something that is not transparent because it is cloudy or murky. The term is commonly applied to liquids that contain suspended particles, which scatter light and give the substance a non-clear appearance.

In practical terms, grumlig describes substances such as grumlig vatten (turbid water), grumlig mjölk, or other beverages and liquids that appear opaque or contain visible sediments. It can also be used for soils or slurries that lack a clear, uniform appearance due to suspended matter. In scientific and environmental contexts, grumlig is often related to turbidity, a measurable property indicating the amount of suspended particles in a liquid.

Metaphorically, grumlig can characterize non-physical clarity as well. A situation, explanation, or plan may be described as grumlig if it seems unclear, muddled, or ambiguous. Phrases such as a grumlig bild av händelserna are used to express a lack of a straightforward or trustworthy account of events.

Etymology and related terms: the word is of Germanic origin, with cognates in Danish and Norwegian that carry a similar sense of murkiness. Related concepts include turbidity and murkiness, which are used in scientific and everyday language to describe the quality of clarity in liquids and ideas.