haze

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: fine dust, smoke, or light vapor causing lack of transparency of the air
b
: a cloudy appearance in a transparent liquid or solid
also : a dullness of finish (as on furniture)
2
: something suggesting atmospheric haze
especially : vagueness of mind or mental perception

haze

2 of 3

verb (1)

hazed; hazing

transitive verb

: to make hazy, dull, or cloudy

intransitive verb

: to become hazy or cloudy

haze

3 of 3

verb (2)

hazed; hazing

transitive verb

1
a
: to harass by exacting unnecessary or disagreeable work
b
: to harass by banter, ridicule, or criticism
2
: to haze by way of initiation
haze the fraternity pledges
3
Western US : to drive (animals, such as cattle or horses) from horseback
hazer noun

Examples of haze in a Sentence

Noun The bar was filled with a smoky haze. She stumbled around in a drug-induced haze.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Almost all the guests attended the late-night after-party in the room where the ceremony had taken place, which had been reconfigured with a DJ booth and a dance floor, then lit up with lasers and haze. Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 Tips on how to view astronomical events in Wisconsin The best conditions to see the night sky will be with clear skies without clouds or haze. Journal Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2024 By turns a love story, a hero’s quest and a clarion call for Aboriginal sovereignty, the narrative unspools under a sinister haze in Australia’s Northern Territory. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024 Photos and videos of the explosion posted on social media show flames shooting high into the air and illuminating an otherwise dark night sky with a red haze. Li Cohen, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2024 Through the haze of hearing this hammer-blow news, Olena seized upon the details that would galvanize her search in the months to come. Sabra Ayres, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024 The city abounds with fine seafood towers, especially at Martini-minded restaurants above a certain price point, though there can be a sameness to them, a repetitive haze of mignonette and gently melting ice. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2023 By the time were packing up our leftovers, Margy and I were in a contented garlic haze, full of salt, fat and memories. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024 The fires blanketed Southeast Asia in a thick haze, causing the premature deaths of more than 100,000 people, estimated Harvard University researchers. Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024
Verb
In the past, Oregon officials tried to haze or trap and remove sea lions back to the ocean. Gwozniac, oregonlive, 8 Apr. 2023 So Owen is scrambling and learning on the job — relying on his wits and a taste for risk — while his more seasoned colleagues are dreaming up ways to haze and undermine him. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2023 Give it a few minutes to haze up, then buff off with terry cloth or microfiber polishing cloths. Michael Stillwell, Popular Mechanics, 27 Mar. 2023 Fired coach: Greg Heiar is out at New Mexico State after the school shut down the program amid hazing accusations. David Leonhardt, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2023 The sororities did not haze. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 26 Jan. 2023 After about 30 minutes, the tile will haze over. Sal Vaglica, USA TODAY, 8 May 2022 And learn how to haze a coyote. National Geographic, 23 June 2020 But coaches had no intent to harm or haze the student-athletes, the statement added. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'haze.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably back-formation from hazy

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1801, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of haze was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near haze

Cite this Entry

“Haze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haze. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

haze

1 of 3 noun
1
: fine dust, smoke, or light vapor causing lack of transparency in the air
2
: unclearness of mind or perception : daze

haze

2 of 3 verb
hazed; hazing
: to make or become hazy or cloudy

haze

3 of 3 verb
hazed; hazing
: to play unpleasant and humiliating tricks on (as new members of a college fraternity) or force to perform humiliating tasks or stunts
hazer noun
Etymology

Noun

from hazy

Verb

origin unknown

More from Merriam-Webster on haze

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