FUH-zee
FUZZY Having a frizzy or fluffy texture; indistinct or unclear; covered with fuzz.
29
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
Fuzzy primarily describes something covered with fuzz - a coating of fine, light fibers or hair that creates a soft, fluffy texture. This can apply to everything from peaches to sweaters to baby animals, evoking sensations of softness and warmth.
In perception and logic, fuzzy means indistinct, unclear, or imprecise. 'Fuzzy logic' in computing handles degrees of truth rather than absolute binary values. A 'fuzzy memory' lacks clear details, while a 'fuzzy image' lacks sharp definition.
For Scrabble players, FUZZY represents the highest-scoring common 5-letter word, with double Z worth 20 points base value. Its everyday usage makes it unlikely to be challenged while providing exceptional scoring opportunities.
The word captures a universal tactile experience and has expanded metaphorically to describe any lack of clarity or precision. From fuzzy dice to fuzzy math, it conveys approachability and informality, softening technical or difficult concepts.
The word 'fuzzy' emerged in the 1610s, probably from 'fuzz' (loose volatile matter, 1670s), which may come from Low German 'fussig' meaning 'spongy.' The connection between physical fuzziness and conceptual unclearness developed in the 20th century.
Words with similar meaning
FLUFFY
Soft and light
BLURRY
Unclear visually
VAGUE
Unclear conceptually
DOWNY
Covered with down
Words with opposite meaning
SMOOTH
Without texture
CLEAR
Well-defined
SHARP
Precise
DISTINCT
Clearly marked
Related Terms
Computing with degrees of truth
Imprecise calculations
Comfortable feeling
Total base points: 29 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 | Consonants: 4
Other high-scoring 5-letter words (Scrabble)
Focus on maximizing tile placement and multipliers.
"The fuzzy peach skin tickled her lips as she took a bite."
"My memories of early childhood are fuzzy and dreamlike."
"FUZZY with both Z's on premium squares scored a game-changing 70 points."
'Fuzzy' has softened technical discourse, from fuzzy logic making AI more human-like to fuzzy math making estimates acceptable. It represents a shift from binary thinking to accepting gradations and uncertainty. The word's warm associations make complex ideas more approachable.
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like FUZZY