hazily
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈeɪzɪli/
US
- /hˈeɪzili/
Description
- Vaguely
- Dimly
- Unclearly
- Indistinctly
Imagine looking at the world through thick fog, or trying to hold on to a dream just after waking up. That blurred, softened feeling is what "hazily" describes. Something is not fully clear, but it is not completely hidden either. The main shape or idea is there, while the small details are hard to catch.
It often appears when talking about sight or memory. A mountain may appear that way through mist or heat, and a person may remember a party that way, knowing the general scene but not the exact words or moments. The word gives a soft, dreamlike sense, as if everything is seen or remembered through a light veil.
"Hazily" describes something seen, remembered, or understood in a way that is vague, soft, and not sharply clear. The word comes from "haze," the light mist or dust in the air that makes edges fade and details disappear. Because of that, it often carries the feeling of looking through fog, smoke, heat, or distance.
It is commonly used for visual scenes and for memory. A coastline may appear hazily through the morning mist. A face from childhood may come back hazily, with only a rough outline and a few small details. In both cases, something can still be recognized, but it does not appear with full sharpness.
The word does not usually suggest total darkness or complete confusion. Instead, it points to partial clarity: enough to sense the general form, mood, or meaning, but not enough to see or remember everything clearly. That is why it works well for dim landscapes, faraway objects, fading memories, or thoughts that feel half-formed.
In narrative writing, it can also add a quiet, dreamlike tone. A room seen through sleepiness, a city glowing in summer heat, or an event recalled after many years may all be described this way. The effect is gentle rather than harsh, suggesting blur, distance, and softened detail rather than complete loss.
Examples
- 1
Low visibility
Through the mist, we could hazily see the lights on the hill.
- 2
Faint memory
I hazily remembered meeting her once at a conference.
- 3
Sleepy speech
Half asleep, he spoke hazily into the phone.
- 4
Vague planning
They had discussed the idea before, but only hazily, without any real plan.
- 5
Uncertain direction
She gestured hazily toward the station, not fully sure of the direction.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hazilyadverb