mist

noun \ ˈmist \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 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

Using drones to capture the mist from humpback whale blowholes, a team of Australian researchers has found viruses related to human pathogens like ones that cause the common cold.

— megha satyanarayana, STAT, "Drones are helping researchers figure out what viruses live in whales. Some are similar to ones in humans," 11 June 2018
Supergoop! offers an extensive line of broad-spectrum S.P.F. 40 and higher from a colorless Unseen Sunscreen that can be used as foundation primer, to setting mist called Defense Refresh for easy reapplication.

— sunhee grinnell, Vanities, "Here Comes the Sun: A 2018 Summer Tanning Guide," 25 May 2018
As mist rolls across the floor, and a dim orb peeps through the clouds, a lone figure rises, Eve-like, at the back of the stage.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "REVIEW: Don't dawdle at 'Spring Works' intermission or you'll miss some of the heat ... | Charlotte Observer," 26 Apr. 2018
The stunning geography was almost lost in billowing mists.

— brian j. cantwell, chicagotribune.com, "Rainy day on Maui? Here are 5 great things to do beyond the beach," 24 Apr. 2018
Add 100mL of water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil to quietly release a soothing fragrant mist in any room for up to six hours.

— jessica teich, USA TODAY, "20 products with a cult following on Amazon, and why they're worth it," 11 Apr. 2018
The complexion-boosting setting mist can be used in several different ways, including but not limited to prepping the skin before applying makeup, worn on its own for a natural dewy radiance, or spritzed on top of makeup to set it in place.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "M.A.C. Just Dropped TWO New Shimmering Versions of Its Famous Prep + Prime Fix+ Spray," 10 Apr. 2018
Clients choose a soundtrack — Polynesian, classical, ocean waves — and have the option to select an aromatherapy mist.

— arielle dollinger, New York Times, "Napping in a New York Minute," 29 Mar. 2018
Perched above cool, swirling mists on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, the sumptuous safari suites at andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offer breathtaking views.

— Town & Country, "These Are the 83 Top Hotels Around the World," 6 Oct. 2016

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control has purchased two Buffalo Turbine mosquito sprayers capable of shooting larvicide nearly 100 feet in the higher and misting large areas.

— jenny staletovich, miamiherald, "Miami-Dade on alert for disease-spreading mosquitoes as rainy season kicks into gear | Miami Herald," 23 May 2018
Venturi, who has two children and lives for part of the year in Rome, finds that many Italian moms mist their children’s clothing with perfume, and Roos says parents in France might also lightly spray the inside of a schoolbag.

— kari molvar, Vogue, "How Young Is Too Young for a First Perfume?," 11 May 2018
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

First Known Use of mist

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

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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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