plural mists
1
: water in the form of very small drops floating in the air or falling as rain
We could barely see the shore through the mist.
The hills were veiled/shrouded in a fine mist.
2
: a stream of liquid in the form of very small drops : a fine spray
an aerosol mist
3
: something that makes understanding difficult
an issue clouded by mists of confusion
mists; misted; misting
1
a
: to become covered with very small drops of water
—usually + up
My glasses misted [=fogged] up when I came in from the cold.
b
of a person's eyes
: to fill with tears
Her eyes misted.
—usually + over or upHer eyes misted over as she thought of her old friends.
2
a
: to cover (something) with mist
a misted valley
b
: to spray (something) with very small drops of water
The plant should be misted regularly.
3
: to rain very lightly
It was misting when we arrived.
a misting rain
Cite this Entry
“Mist.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/mist. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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