# mist

/ˈmɪst/ (US) · /mˈɪst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mist
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. weather/atmosphere

noun · CEFR B1

a thin cloud of very small drops of water in the air, similar to a light fog.

For teachers: a mass of fine droplets of water or other liquid suspended in the atmosphere, typically reducing visibility to between 1 and 2 kilometres.

- The morning mist hung over the lake until the sun came out.
- A thick mist rolled in from the Atlantic, obscuring the jagged coastline and forcing the small fishing vessels to return to the harbour early.

### 2. a fine spray

noun · CEFR B2

a very fine spray of liquid, like from a bottle or a machine.

For teachers: a fine spray or cloud of liquid particles, often produced mechanically or by a pressurised container.

- The perfume bottle released a light mist of scent when she pressed the top.
- The cooling system in the greenhouse releases a fine mist of water every hour to maintain the humidity required by the tropical ferns.

### 3. to spray lightly

verb · CEFR B2

to spray something with very small drops of liquid.

For teachers: to cover a surface with a fine spray of liquid, often to provide moisture without soaking.

- You should mist your indoor plants once a week during the summer.
- The gardener carefully misted the delicate orchids, ensuring the leaves remained hydrated without allowing water to pool in the roots.

### 4. to become cloudy

verb · CEFR B2

to become covered with tiny drops of water so you cannot see through it.

For teachers: to become covered with a film of moisture that obscures vision or transparency; often used with 'up'.

- My glasses misted up as soon as I walked into the warm kitchen.
- The bathroom mirror misted over completely while he was taking a hot shower, leaving him unable to see his reflection.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'mist up'.

## Examples

- The morning mist covers the lake.
- A light mist hung over the valley as the sun began to rise, making the trees look like shadows.
- The photographer waited for the early morning mist to partially clear, hoping to capture the ethereal quality of the sunlight filtering through the damp air.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.