Fuzz
/fʌz/
Definitions
3 meaningsSoft, fine, or fluffy material, often of a light texture.
/fʌz/
Soft, light, fluffy material
The old blanket was covered in fuzz.
💡 Simply: It's like the little soft bits that come off of clothes, like when your sweater starts to get those tiny balls of fuzz all over it! Or like the soft stuff on a baby chick.
👶 For kids: Like tiny little soft hairs or fluffy stuff.
More Examples
She used a lint roller to remove the fuzz from her coat.
The peach had a delicate fuzz on its skin.
How It's Used
"The sweater was covered in fuzz after being washed."
"Lint and fuzz can accumulate on fabrics."
Police or law enforcement officers; used informally and often negatively.
/fʌz/
Police or law enforcement officers (informal)
The kids tried to hide from the fuzz after they saw a police car arrive.
💡 Simply: When you call the police 'the fuzz,' you're talking about police officers, but it's a slang way of saying it. It's like a secret code.
👶 For kids: It's a sneaky word for police.
More Examples
I didn't want to get caught by the fuzz, so I left.
How It's Used
"The fuzz was patrolling the neighborhood."
"We saw the fuzz, so we had to get out of there."
To make something appear indistinct or blurred; to become blurred or indistinct.
/fʌz/
To make something fuzzy or unclear
The edges of the photograph began to fuzz.
💡 Simply: To make something blurry or unclear, like when you look through a dirty window or zoom in on a photo so much it's not sharp.
👶 For kids: To make something look blurry.
More Examples
The bright lights fuzzed my vision.
The image on the old television screen would often fuzz.
How It's Used
"The picture fuzzed when I tried to zoom in too far."
"After the accident, my vision seemed to fuzz."
From Middle English *fus, probably of imitative origin, referring to the soft, fluffy texture. The word's association with police likely evolved from the earlier slang use for hair or fluff, reflecting a general, slightly disreputable vibe.
The noun 'fuzz' referring to law enforcement is a more recent slang development, appearing in the 20th century. The origin of the word is likely linked to the similar texture of the material on the peach and on the skin.
Memory tip
Think of the soft fuzz on a peach or the fluff that collects under your bed.