Blurred vs. Blurry — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 13, 2024
Blurred refers to the action or result of making something unclear, often used in a photographic or literal sense, while blurry describes an object's unclear or unfocused appearance.
Difference Between Blurred and Blurry
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Blurred often relates to the process by which clarity is lost, such as in a photograph where rapid motion results in a blurred image. Whereas, blurry describes the characteristic of the image itself, indicating it appears indistinct or smeared.
In terms of usage, blurred is commonly used as a verb or an adjective. For example, eyes might be blurred from tears, suggesting an action of blurring. On the other hand, blurry is typically used as an adjective, describing a permanent state, like a blurry photograph.
Blurred can also imply a temporary condition caused by an action, such as blurred vision due to rubbing one's eyes. Whereas, blurry might suggest a more inherent or unalterable state, like blurry vision as a symptom of a health condition.
In visual arts, blurred lines or edges might be intentionally created to convey motion or depth. Conversely, a blurry picture is generally undesirable in photography as it signifies a lack of sharpness and detail.
Blurred is used in metaphoric senses as well, such as in the phrase "blurred boundaries," which refers to indistinct separations in ideas or categories. Blurry, however, is less commonly used metaphorically and is more confined to descriptions of visual perceptions.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective; Verb (past participle of "blur")
Adjective
Usage in Sentences
Often used to describe actions or results of actions
Primarily used to describe states or characteristics
Common Contexts
Photography, vision, metaphors (e.g., blurred lines)
Photography, vision
Implication
May imply a temporary or changeable state
Suggests a more static or inherent quality
Example
A blurred image due to camera shake
A photo is blurry due to out-of-focus lens
Compare with Definitions
Blurred
To cause to become indistinct.
Tears blurred her vision.
Blurry
Vague or indistinct.
His memory of the event is blurry.
Blurred
Made unclear or less distinct.
The scene was blurred in the rain.
Blurry
Not producing a clear impression.
The instructions on the box are blurry.
Blurred
Difficult to see clearly or precisely.
His vision was blurred after swimming without goggles.
Blurry
Lacking clarity or sharpness; fuzzy.
The old photograph was blurry.
Blurred
To make something difficult to understand or recognize.
The novel blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
Blurry
Not able to see or be seen clearly.
She squinted at the blurry text.
Blurred
Render less visible or unclear.
The fog blurred the landscape.
Blurry
Fuzzy and unclear from a viewer's perspective.
The blurry painting added a mysterious quality to the room.
Blurred
To make indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance; obscure
The haze blurred the skyline.
Blurry
"Blurry" is a song by the American rock band Puddle of Mudd. It was released on October 16, 2001, as the second single from the band's debut album, Come Clean (2001).
Blurred
To make dim, unclear, or cloudy
The smoke blurred my vision.
Blurry
To make indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance; obscure
The haze blurred the skyline.
Blurred
To cause to be intellectually indistinguishable
New thinking has blurred the divisions between disciplines.
Blurry
To make dim, unclear, or cloudy
The smoke blurred my vision.
Blurred
To become visually indistinct
The faces blurred in the crowd.
Blurry
To cause to be intellectually indistinguishable
New thinking has blurred the divisions between disciplines.
Blurred
To be unclear or clouded
His vision blurred as the drug took effect.
Blurry
To become visually indistinct
The faces blurred in the crowd.
Blurred
To become intellectually indistinguishable
TV commercials and shows seem to blur into one another.
Blurry
To be unclear or clouded
His vision blurred as the drug took effect.
Blurred
Something that is hazy and indistinct to the sight or mind.
Blurry
To become intellectually indistinguishable
TV commercials and shows seem to blur into one another.
Blurred
Out of focus; partially obscured; smudged.
Blurry
Something that is hazy and indistinct to the sight or mind.
Blurred
Simple past tense and past participle of blur
Blurry
(of an image) Not clear, crisp, or focused; having fuzzy edges.
If I take off my glasses, everything close up looks blurry.
Blurred
Out of focus; not sharply defined.
Blurry
(figuratively) Not clear; lacking well-defined boundaries.
It would seem that the line between flirting and sexual harassment has become quite blurry.
Blurred
Indistinct or hazy in outline;
A landscape of blurred outlines
The trees were just blurry shapes
Blurry
Full of blurs; blurred.
Blurred
Unclear in form or expression;
The blurred aims of the group
Sometimes one understood clearly and sometimes the meaning was clouded
Blurry
Indistinct or hazy in outline;
A landscape of blurred outlines
The trees were just blurry shapes
Common Curiosities
Is blurry always negative?
Yes, in most contexts, describing something as blurry suggests it is undesirable due to lack of clarity.
What does blurry vision imply about someone's eyesight?
Blurry vision typically suggests a persistent issue affecting clarity of sight, potentially requiring corrective lenses.
Can digital images be blurry?
Yes, digital images can be blurry if the focus was not set correctly or if the resolution is too low.
Is there a medical term related to blurry or blurred vision?
Yes, refractive errors like myopia or hyperopia can cause blurry vision.
Can blurred and blurry be used interchangeably?
While both pertain to lack of clarity, blurred often implies an action, and blurry describes a characteristic, so they are not always interchangeable.
What causes something to appear blurred?
Motion, tears, or other temporary phenomena can make an image or view appear blurred.
Are there artistic uses for blurred effects?
Yes, artists and photographers might use blurred effects intentionally to convey motion or emotion.
What is the primary difference between blurred and blurry?
Blurred refers to the action or effect of making something unclear, while blurry describes an object's unclear appearance.
How does one correct a blurry photo?
Adjusting focus or using image editing software to enhance sharpness can correct blurry photos.
Is blurred used in non-visual contexts?
Yes, it can describe less tangible concepts, like blurred lines in an argument or policy.
What does it mean when legal boundaries are described as blurred?
It suggests that the distinctions between legal categories or rules are not clear or are overlapping.
Can weather conditions make things appear blurry?
Yes, conditions like fog, rain, or snow can make the environment appear blurry.
Does wearing glasses fix blurry vision?
Glasses can correct blurry vision by adjusting the focus of light entering the eyes.
How do filmmakers use blur?
Filmmakers use blur to emphasize speed or to direct viewer focus within a scene.
What might cause a blurred photograph?
Camera shake, subject movement, or incorrect focus settings can cause a photograph to be blurred.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
