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
misted; misting; mists
: to cover or spray with or convert to mist
Synonyms
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
Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023
The leather wallet, which is available in a gray mist hue and a wine shade, has enough room to fit a phone, 12 credit cards, coins, bills, and more.
—Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
This kit comes with Supergoop’s original unscented sunscreen with SPF 40, body lotion with SPF 50 and a face mist with SPF 40 that can also be used as a setting spray.
—Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023
The mists activated dormant Inhuman cells in several people, Kamala included.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 Nov. 2023
Then the mist cleared a little, and a familiar red-and-white column appeared: the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse.
—Nina Caplan, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2023
Give them an extra boost and keep them smelling fresh with this hair and body mist.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
At sunrise, mist lifted to reveal several hundred bamboo and tarpaulin shelters clinging to muddy hillsides.
—Yan Naing, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
The mist descended over us, fresh, brisk, and cool.
—Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2023
Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
Lloyd Center also welcomes guests Wednesday during regular mall hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Portland Water Bureau has opened misting stations.
—Bslovic, oregonlive, 16 Aug. 2023
To sell products that amounted, essentially, to fancy rooms misted with high-end Febreze, the hotels were bringing a new twist to the old idea that health is a luxury good.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2023
Avoid misting your succulent since that can cause moldy leaves.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2023
Last summer, Austin Davis, a twenty-three-year-old who runs an outreach program for Arizonans experiencing homelessness, drove around with water, ice, fans, misting spray, and electrolyte tablets.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
With hundreds of 5-star reviews, the bite-sized, wall plug-in diffuser is designed to adequately mist small to medium-sized rooms with fade-proof fragrance.
—Rebecca Norris, Peoplemag, 20 July 2023
The bromeliad from The Sill thrives in bright indirect light and only requires misting two to three times a week and watering every one to two weeks.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 4 May 2023
The pretty aesthetic of misting houseplants has taken over TikTok and Instagram.
—Amanda Lauren, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023
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Noun
Mario Badescu Facial Spray Jumpstart your morning in the same way Selena does in this TikTok with Mario Badescu Facial Spray — a refreshing mist of aloe vera, thyme, and seaweed extract for a slept-really-good last night glow.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 19 Nov. 2023
The leather wallet, which is available in a gray mist hue and a wine shade, has enough room to fit a phone, 12 credit cards, coins, bills, and more.
—Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
This kit comes with Supergoop’s original unscented sunscreen with SPF 40, body lotion with SPF 50 and a face mist with SPF 40 that can also be used as a setting spray.
—Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023
The mists activated dormant Inhuman cells in several people, Kamala included.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 7 Nov. 2023
Then the mist cleared a little, and a familiar red-and-white column appeared: the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse.
—Nina Caplan, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2023
Give them an extra boost and keep them smelling fresh with this hair and body mist.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
At sunrise, mist lifted to reveal several hundred bamboo and tarpaulin shelters clinging to muddy hillsides.
—Yan Naing, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
The mist descended over us, fresh, brisk, and cool.
—Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2023
Verb
Here’s general advice for different foods: Lean, roasted meats or vegetables: Use at least a coating of cooking spray or misted oil before air frying.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 16 Oct. 2023
Lloyd Center also welcomes guests Wednesday during regular mall hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the Portland Water Bureau has opened misting stations.
—Bslovic, oregonlive, 16 Aug. 2023
To sell products that amounted, essentially, to fancy rooms misted with high-end Febreze, the hotels were bringing a new twist to the old idea that health is a luxury good.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2023
Avoid misting your succulent since that can cause moldy leaves.
—Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2023
Last summer, Austin Davis, a twenty-three-year-old who runs an outreach program for Arizonans experiencing homelessness, drove around with water, ice, fans, misting spray, and electrolyte tablets.
—Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
With hundreds of 5-star reviews, the bite-sized, wall plug-in diffuser is designed to adequately mist small to medium-sized rooms with fade-proof fragrance.
—Rebecca Norris, Peoplemag, 20 July 2023
The bromeliad from The Sill thrives in bright indirect light and only requires misting two to three times a week and watering every one to two weeks.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 4 May 2023
The pretty aesthetic of misting houseplants has taken over TikTok and Instagram.
—Amanda Lauren, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mist.' 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
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
Articles Related to mist
Dictionary Entries Near mist
Cite this Entry
“Mist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mist. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
mist
1 of 2 noun1
: 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 verb1
: 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 English: Translation of mist for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mist
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