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

Example Sentences

Noun The bar was filled with a smoky haze. She stumbled around in a drug-induced haze.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Seeing through the haze (and seeking help) The stereotypes surrounding depression call out extremes. Sherry Walling, Fortune Well, 17 May 2023 Slip into the lavender haze with purple pants, disco-ball-esque tops, and furry jackets like this one that's just $33 at Amazon. Buy It! Claire Harmeyer, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2023 Underneath the apparent haze of smoke and deep red hues, Lil Uzi Vert took Fallon to their own world. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2023 A lot of the storytelling tends to amble along without much edge, viewed through the haze of nostalgia and graced with appropriate needle drops. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2023 How many in a medicated haze, protected from themselves, visited by terrified family members staying around the corner in a cheap hotel? Gregg Doyel Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2023 There, with the skyline shimmering through the cigar-smoke haze, Kilimnik shared a secret plan whose significance would only become clear six years later, as Vladimir V. Putin’s invading Russian Army pushed into Ukraine. Jim Rutenberg, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2022 If Reputation was penned in the grey area between self-defense and self-acceptance, and Lover in the rainbow haze of being adored, evermore evokes the fluid nature of selfhood itself. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 28 Oct. 2022 It’s got a creamy vanilla base with smoky, woody notes and a topping of lavender (haze). Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 4 May 2023
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 See More

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 28 May. 2023.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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