mist

1 of 2

noun

ˈmist How to pronounce mist (audio)
Synonyms of mistnext
1
: water in the form of particles floating or falling in the atmosphere at or near the surface of the earth and approaching the form of rain
2
: something that obscures understanding
mists of antiquity
3
: a film before the eyes
4
a
: a cloud of small particles or objects suggestive of a mist
b
: a suspension of a finely divided liquid in a gas
c
: a fine spray
5
: a drink of liquor served over cracked ice

mist

2 of 2

verb

misted; misting; mists

intransitive verb

1
: to be or become misty
2
: to become moist or blurred

transitive verb

: to cover or spray with or convert to mist

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of mist in a Sentence

Noun We could barely see the shore through the mist. The hills were veiled in a fine mist. an issue clouded by mists of confusion Verb The plant should be misted regularly. It was misting when we arrived.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Uber Klaus is joined by other smaller robots (Kommando Klaus) that appear after mysterious red mist descends on players. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 The origins of many words are simply lost in the mists of history, a disappointment that lexicographers record with the frustrating notation origin unknown, or orig. — Martha Barnette august 6, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and mist the cuttings daily to retain humidity. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 July 2025 That’s why a misting fan is a smart summer purchase. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mist

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle Dutch mist mist, Greek omichlē

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mist was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing mist

Rhymes for mist

See All Rhymes for mist

Browse Nearby Words

missy
mist
mistakable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mist. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

mist

1 of 2 noun
ˈmist How to pronounce mist (audio)
1
: water in the form of particles floating in the air or falling as fine rain
2
: something that keeps one from seeing or understanding clearly

mist

2 of 2 verb
1
: to be or become misty
2
: to become dim or blurred
3
: to cover with a mist

More from Merriam-Webster on mist

Nglish: Translation of mist for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mist

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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