mist

noun \ ˈmist \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of mist

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

See mist defined for English-language learners

See mist defined for kids

Examples of mist in a Sentence

We could barely see the shore through the mist.
The hills were veiled in a fine mist.
an issue clouded by mists of confusion

Recent Examples of mist from the Web

One of my favorite Caribbean memories is having tea in the afternoon at Strawberry Hill, while a wood fire burned in the fireplace, and the sun cut through the mist of the surrounding hills.

— mark rogers, USA TODAY, "Jamaica’s hip hotels: Authentic options beyond the all-inclusives," 22 Mar. 2018
On the drive back from the county fair in fall '16, Daines was behind the wheel, struggling with the wipers and the defroster, as the rain had left a thick mist hanging in the Central Texas air.

— jack dickey, SI.com, "How Charley Pride Went From Negro League Ballplayer to Country Music's Jackie Robinson," 21 Mar. 2018
Think back to January, when the stench of Larry Nassar settled over the campus like a toxic mist.

— shawn windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State's Final Four vision begins with Cassius Winston," 16 Mar. 2018
Topping off his shine-free look is a mist of Kiehl's Men's Oil Eliminator Refreshing Shine Control Spray Toner, followed up with Beautyblender's blotterazzi reusable shine-eliminating sponge.

— nicole saunders, Billboard, "It Took 'Get Out' Star Daniel Kaluuya 30 Minutes to Get Ready for the 2018 Oscars: Exclusive," 4 Mar. 2018
Workers then spray a mist of water over the surface and gradually build up the ice sheet.

— james b. nelson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "NHL pre-season games, Disney ice shows will be possible at new Milwaukee Bucks arena," 23 Feb. 2018
Correction: This article originally incorrectly stated that the bubbles are filled with smoke when they are in fact filled with mist.

— mirren gidda, Newsweek, "Exclusive: Watch COS and Studio Swine's Strange and Beautiful New Project," 2 Feb. 2017
The awe-inspiring falls throw up a perpetual mist that supports a lush rainforest.

— andrew meldrum, chicagotribune.com, "'Black Panther' fans can find glimpses of Wakanda in Africa," 21 Mar. 2018
As noted by Delish, the company behind those classic body mists has recently launched a candle that supposedly smells like Thai Sriracha, crushed coriander, jalapeño pepper, and red chili.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Bath & Body Works Is Selling a Sriracha-Scented Candle," 17 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mist

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

mist Synonyms

Synonyms

fog, haze, murk, reek, smog, soup;

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

mist

verb

Definition of mist

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

See mist defined for English-language learners

Examples of mist in a Sentence

The plant should be misted regularly.
It was misting when we arrived.

Recent Examples of mist from the Web

Zora was already washed and blow dried, so Nelms misted a bit of leave-in spray all over, scrunching it in so that the curls would be tighter closer to roots.

— refinery29.com, "8 Spring Looks That Celebrate The Beauty Of Natural Hair," 19 Mar. 2018
Either way, the chance to see him -- and hear him -- one last time can be expected to mist the eyes of most sentimental New Orleanians.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "'Benji' movie review: Netflix reboot is warm, cuddly -- and New Orleans-y," 13 Mar. 2018
Within the immense covered garden, horticulturists misted the leaves by hand.

— gogo lidz, Newsweek, "Women in Weed: How Legal Marijuana Could Be the First Billion-Dollar Industry Not Dominated by Men," 20 Aug. 2015
Cabanas will feature 55-inch TVs as well as misting systems that will be welcome when summer’s scorching temperatures arrive.

— jay jones, latimes.com, "Las Vegas' splashy pool season is open. Here are five places to party," 7 Mar. 2018
Gabe’s father, Joshua Marshall of Hutchinson, reflected, tears misting his eyes.

— eric adler, kansascity, "Supergirl, Thor, 1,000 more raise Comicon swords for Kansas boy who died a superhero," 17 Feb. 2018
The temperature dropped while misting rain spit on the sparse crowd that remained silent as Valparaiso pushed ahead by one run.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Alabama routs Valparaiso in first game of Brad Bohannon Era," 16 Feb. 2018
Try it for soft mermaid hair, to tame fly always, for some extra hold, add volume, or just mist it for that finishing touch.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "4 Hairstylists on How They Would Spend $60 on Amazon," 8 Feb. 2018
Try taking a warm bath with Lovewild’s muscle-soothing Lavender Bath Salts or misting L’Occitane’s lovely Aromachologie Pillow Mist on your pillowcase.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "4 Foolproof Ways to Get the Best Night’s Sleep of Your Life," 3 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of mist

before 12th century

mist Synonyms

MIST Defined for English Language Learners

mist

noun

Definition of mist for English Language Learners

: water in the form of very small drops floating in the air or falling as rain
: a stream of liquid in the form of very small drops : a fine spray
: something that makes understanding difficult

mist

verb

Definition of mist for English Language Learners

: to become covered with very small drops of water
of a person's eyes : to fill with tears
: to cover (something) with mist

MIST Defined for Kids

mist

noun \ ˈmist \

Definition of mist for Students

: very tiny drops of water floating in the air or falling as fine rain

mist

verb

Definition of mist for Students

misted; misting

1 : to cover or become covered with tiny drops of water

2 : to become wet with tears

Her eyes misted.

3 : to rain very lightly

Learn More about mist

See words that rhyme with mist Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mist Spanish Central: Translation of 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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mist

Definition of mist

Examples of mist in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mist from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mist

mist Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

mist

Definition of mist

Examples of mist in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mist from the Web

First Known Use of mist

mist Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to MIST

Related Phrases

MIST Defined for English Language Learners

mist

Definition of mist for English Language Learners

mist

Definition of mist for English Language Learners

MIST Defined for Kids

mist

Definition of mist for Students

mist

Definition of mist for Students

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