Cloud vs. Blur — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
Cloud refers to a visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere, while blur refers to a visual impairment where an object appears indistinct or hazy.
Difference Between Cloud and Blur
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Clouds are collections of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air, typically seen in the sky. In contrast, a blur is an effect or condition where the clarity of an image or an object is lost.
Cloud formations are influenced by atmospheric conditions such as temperature and humidity, whereas a blur often results from optical issues such as incorrect focus in photography or vision problems in the eyes.
Clouds can vary dramatically in appearance, from thin wisps to massive storm systems, reflecting their diverse types and the processes that form them. On the other hand, a blur generally indicates a uniform loss of detail, which can affect part or all of an image.
Observing clouds can provide meteorological insights about weather patterns and systems, while observing a blur might indicate problems with one's vision or with optical equipment.
The study of clouds, nephology, is a well-established field of meteorology, focusing on cloud formation, classification, and weather forecasting. Conversely, the study of blur is often associated with optics and photography, focusing on improving image clarity and resolving visual issues.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A visible mass of condensed water vapor in the air.
A visual effect where objects appear indistinct.
Related Field
Meteorology
Optics, Photography
Causes
Temperature changes, humidity, air currents.
Misfocus, motion, visual impairments.
Variability
Types vary (cumulus, stratus, etc.).
Uniform effect, though extent can vary.
Observational Significance
Indicates weather conditions and patterns.
Indicates issues with visual clarity or equipment.
Compare with Definitions
Cloud
An indicator of weather patterns.
Gray clouds often precede rain.
Blur
A lack of visual sharpness.
The photo was a blur without my glasses.
Cloud
A mass of condensed water vapor in the sky.
The sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds.
Blur
A visual impairment symptom.
Myopia can cause your vision to blur.
Cloud
A visible feature of the atmosphere.
The sunset painted colors across the clouds.
Blur
Related to motion or speed.
The racing car was just a blur on the track.
Cloud
An accumulation of tiny water droplets or ice.
Dark clouds gathered before the storm.
Blur
An effect making objects indistinct.
Speed turned the roadside into a blur.
Cloud
A classification in meteorology.
Cumulus clouds are common on sunny days.
Blur
A result of misfocusing.
An incorrect lens setting created a blur in the image.
Cloud
In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of minute liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water or various other chemicals may compose the droplets and crystals.
Blur
To make indistinct and hazy in outline or appearance; obscure
The haze blurred the skyline.
Cloud
A visible mass of condensed watery vapour floating in the atmosphere, typically high above the general level of the ground
The sky was almost free of cloud
The sun had disappeared behind a cloud
Blur
To make dim, unclear, or cloudy
The smoke blurred my vision.
Cloud
Used to refer to a state or cause of gloom, suspicion, trouble, or worry
The dark clouds of a major recession
A black cloud hung over their lives
The only cloud on the immediate horizon is raising a mortgage
Blur
To cause to be intellectually indistinguishable
New thinking has blurred the divisions between disciplines.
Cloud
A network of remote servers hosted on the Internet and used to store, manage, and process data in place of local servers or personal computers
Once you are logged in to your cloud storage space, you can upload files to it and share them with others
There's a rich, complex, shared data store in the cloud
Blur
To become visually indistinct
The faces blurred in the crowd.
Cloud
(of the sky) become overcast or gloomy
The blue skies clouded over abruptly
Blur
To be unclear or clouded
His vision blurred as the drug took effect.
Cloud
(of someone's face or eyes) show an emotion such as worry, sorrow, or anger
His expression clouded over
Blur
To become intellectually indistinguishable
TV commercials and shows seem to blur into one another.
Cloud
A visible body of very fine water droplets or ice particles suspended in the atmosphere at altitudes ranging up to several miles above sea level.
Blur
Something that is hazy and indistinct to the sight or mind.
Cloud
A mass of particles or droplets, as of dust, smoke, or steam, suspended in the atmosphere or existing in outer space.
Blur
To make indistinct or hazy, to obscure or dim.
To blur a photograph by moving the camera while taking it
Cloud
A large moving body of things in the air or on the ground; a swarm
A cloud of locusts.
Blur
To smear, stain or smudge.
To blur a manuscript by handling it while damp
Cloud
A collection of particles or other small entities
An electron cloud.
A cloud of spores.
Blur
(intransitive) To become indistinct.
Cloud
An opaque mass of particles suspended in water
A cloud of silt in the pond.
Blur
To cause imperfection of vision in; to dim; to darken.
Cloud
A dark region or blemish, as on a polished stone.
Blur
To sully; to stain; to blemish, as reputation.
Cloud
A state or cause of sadness, worry, or anger
At the bad news a cloud fell over the celebration.
Blur
To transfer the input focus away from.
Cloud
A state or cause of confusion or misunderstanding
Writing made difficult by a cloud of jargon.
Blur
A smear, smudge or blot
Cloud
A state or cause of suspicion or disgrace
A cloud of mistrust lingers among the signers of the treaty.
Blur
Something that appears hazy or indistinct
The surroundings went by in a blur.
Cloud
A large area of coordinated wireless internet service.
Blur
(obsolete) A moral stain or blot.
Cloud
The collection of data and services available through the internet
Stored company data in the cloud.
Blur
In a state of doubt or confusion.
Cloud
To cover or obscure with clouds
We could not see the moon because the sky was clouded over.
Blur
To render obscure by making the form or outline of confused and uncertain, as by soiling; to smear; to make indistinct and confused; as, to blur manuscript by handling it while damp; to blur the impression of a woodcut by an excess of ink.
But time hath nothing blurred those lines of favorWhich then he wore.
Cloud
To make less clear or transparent
Smoke clouded the sky. Steam clouded the windows.
Blur
To cause imperfection of vision in; to dim; to darken.
Her eyes are blurred with the lightning's glare.
Cloud
To make sorrowful, troubled, or angry
A bad memory that clouded his spirits.
Blur
To sully; to stain; to blemish, as reputation.
Sarcasms may eclipse thine own,But can not blur my lost renown.
Cloud
To cause to appear sorrowful, troubled, or angry
Worry clouded her face.
Blur
That which obscures without effacing; a stain; a blot, as upon paper or other substance.
As for those who cleanse blurs with blotted fingers, they make it worse.
Cloud
To make difficult to know or understand; make obscure or uncertain
The economic downturn clouded the future of the project.
Blur
A dim, confused appearance; indistinctness of vision; as, to see things with a blur; it was all blur.
Cloud
To confuse
Don't let your resentments cloud your judgment.
Blur
A moral stain or blot.
Lest she . . . will with her railing set a great blur on mine honesty and good name.
Cloud
To cast aspersions on; sully
Scandal clouded the officer's reputation.
Blur
A hazy or indistinct representation;
It happened so fast it was just a blur
He tried to clear his head of the whisky fuzz
Cloud
To become cloudy or overcast
The sky clouded over.
Blur
Become glassy; lose clear vision;
Her eyes glazed over from lack of sleep
Cloud
To become dark, obscure, or less transparent
The water in the tank clouded up.
Blur
To make less distinct or clear;
The haze blurs the hills
Cloud
To show sorrow, worry, or anger
His face clouded at the news.
Blur
Make unclear, indistinct, or blurred;
Her remarks confused the debate
Their words obnubilate their intentions
Cloud
(obsolete) A rock; boulder; a hill.
Blur
Make a smudge on; soil by smudging
Cloud
A visible mass of water droplets suspended in the air.
Blur
Make dim or indistinct;
The drug blurs my vision
Cloud
Any mass of dust, steam or smoke resembling such a mass.
Blur
Become vague or indistinct;
The distinction between the two theories blurred
Cloud
Anything which makes things foggy or gloomy.
Cloud
(figurative) Anything unsubstantial.
Cloud
A dark spot on a lighter material or background.
Cloud
A group or swarm, especially suspended above the ground or flying.
He opened the door and was greeted by a cloud of bats.
Cloud
An elliptical shape or symbol whose outline is a series of semicircles, supposed to resemble a cloud.
The comic-book character's thoughts appeared in a cloud above his head.
Cloud
A telecom network (from their representation in engineering drawings)
Cloud
The Internet, regarded as an abstract amorphous omnipresent space for processing and storage, the focus of cloud computing.
Cloud
(figuratively) A negative or foreboding aspect of something positive: see every cloud has a silver lining or every silver lining has a cloud.
Cloud
(slang) Crystal methamphetamine.
Cloud
A large, loosely-knitted headscarf worn by women.
Cloud
(intransitive) To become foggy or gloomy, or obscured from sight.
The glass clouds when you breathe on it.
Cloud
(transitive) To overspread or hide with a cloud or clouds.
The sky is clouded.
Cloud
Of the breath, to become cloud; to turn into mist.
Cloud
(transitive) To make obscure.
All this talk about human rights is clouding the real issue.
Cloud
(transitive) To make less acute or perceptive.
Your emotions are clouding your judgement.
The tears began to well up and cloud my vision.
Cloud
(transitive) To make gloomy or sullen.
Cloud
(transitive) To blacken; to sully; to stain; to tarnish (reputation or character).
Cloud
(transitive) To mark with, or darken in, veins or sports; to variegate with colors.
To cloud yarn
Cloud
(intransitive) To become marked, darkened or variegated in this way.
Cloud
A collection of visible vapor, or watery particles, suspended in the upper atmosphere.
I do set my bow in the cloud.
Cloud
A mass or volume of smoke, or flying dust, resembling vapor.
Cloud
A dark vein or spot on a lighter material, as in marble; hence, a blemish or defect; as, a cloud upon one's reputation; a cloud on a title.
Cloud
That which has a dark, lowering, or threatening aspect; that which temporarily overshadows, obscures, or depresses; as, a cloud of sorrow; a cloud of war; a cloud upon the intellect.
Cloud
A great crowd or multitude; a vast collection.
Cloud
A large, loosely-knitted scarf, worn by women about the head.
Cloud
To overspread or hide with a cloud or clouds; as, the sky is clouded.
Cloud
To darken or obscure, as if by hiding or enveloping with a cloud; hence, to render gloomy or sullen.
One day too late, I fear me, noble lord,Hath clouded all thy happy days on earth.
Be not disheartened, then, nor cloud those looks.
Nothing clouds men's minds and impairs their honesty like prejudice.
Cloud
To blacken; to sully; to stain; to tarnish; to damage; - esp. used of reputation or character.
I would not be a stander-by to hearMy sovereign mistress clouded so, withoutMy present vengeance taken.
Cloud
To mark with, or darken in, veins or sports; to variegate with colors; as, to cloud yarn.
And the nice conduct of a clouded cane.
Cloud
To grow cloudy; to become obscure with clouds; - often used with up.
Worthies, away! The scene begins to cloud.
Cloud
Any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
Cloud
A visible mass of water or ice particles suspended at a considerable altitude
Cloud
Out of touch with reality;
His head was in the clouds
Cloud
A cause of worry or gloom or trouble;
The only cloud on the horizon was the possibility of dissent by the French
Cloud
Suspicion affecting your reputation;
After that mistake he was under a cloud
Cloud
A group of many insects;
A swarm of insects obscured the light
A cloud of butterflies
Cloud
Make overcast or cloudy;
Fall weather often overcasts our beaches
Cloud
Make less visible or unclear;
The stars are obscured by the clouds
Cloud
Billow up in the form of a cloud;
The smoke clouded above the houses
Cloud
Make gloomy or depressed;
Their faces were clouded with sadness
Cloud
Place under suspicion or cast doubt upon;
Sully someone's reputation
Cloud
Colour with streaks or blotches of different shades
Cloud
Make milky or dull;
The chemical clouded the liquid to which it was added
Common Curiosities
What are clouds made of?
Clouds are made of water droplets or ice crystals.
What is motion blur?
Motion blur occurs when the subject or the camera moves during exposure.
Are all clouds white?
No, clouds can appear in various colors, especially around sunrise or sunset.
How are clouds classified?
Clouds are classified based on their shape and altitude, such as cirrostratus or nimbostratus.
Can blurring be intentional in photography?
Yes, blurring can be used creatively to convey motion or focus on a subject.
What causes a blur in photographs?
Incorrect focusing or camera shake causes blurs.
What types of clouds are there?
There are several types, including cumulus, stratus, and cirrus.
How do clouds form?
Clouds form when humid air cools and condenses into water droplets or ice.
Can clouds appear at night?
Yes, clouds can be visible at night, often illuminated by moonlight or city lights.
How does one fix a blurred photo?
Adjusting focus or using software to sharpen the image can help.
Why do things blur when moving fast?
Rapid movement can exceed the eye's or camera's ability to maintain focus.
What can cause vision to blur suddenly?
Sudden blurring could be due to health issues like diabetes or an eye infection.
Is blur always undesirable in images?
Not always; artistic blur is often used for aesthetic effect.
Do clouds affect weather?
Yes, clouds play a crucial role in weather dynamics and precipitation.
What is the difference between fog and clouds?
Fog is a type of cloud that forms close to the ground.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
