mist

mist — noun

1. 在空中接近地面處形成的小水滴雲層，使視線變得模糊的自然現象，比霧（fog）的濃度低。

1.nounB1
Definition

在空中接近地面處形成的小水滴雲層，使視線變得模糊的自然現象，比霧（fog）的濃度低。

Example

A thick mist covered the valley after the heavy rain.

collocation: thick mist / dense mist

The morning mist cleared slowly as the sun rose higher.

collocation: morning mist clears / lifts

Common collocations
  • thick mist
  • dense mist
  • morning mist
  • patches of mist
  • light mist
  • mist clears
  • mist lifts
  • mist rolls in
  • mist covers
Synonyms
  • fog

    thicker than mist; reduces visibility below 1 km

  • haze

    caused by dust or smoke particles, not water droplets

  • smog

    air pollution mixed with fog; common in cities

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

mist + verb (clears, lifts, rolls in)

adjective + mist (thick, dense, morning)

Usage Note

Mist is thinner than fog. In weather reports, 'fog' reduces visibility below 1 km, while 'mist' means visibility is 1–2 km. 'Mist' is typically uncountable ('Mist hung over the fields'), but can be used with 'a' for a specific occurrence ('A light mist covered the lake').

Common Mistakes

There was a heavy mist that reduced visibility to zero.
There was a thick fog that reduced visibility to zero.
When visibility drops below 1 km, use 'fog' instead of 'mist'.
I couldn't see anything because of mist drops.
I couldn't see anything because of the mist.
Mist is uncountable; don't add 'drops'.

2. 附著在物體表面的一層薄薄水氣，使該物體變得模糊不清。

2.nounB1
Definition

附著在物體表面的一層薄薄水氣，使該物體變得模糊不清。

Example

Benjamin's glasses were covered in mist when he came inside from the cold.

collocation: covered in mist

Élise wiped the mist from the bathroom mirror with a towel.

Common collocations
  • covered in mist
  • mist of tears
  • mist of steam
  • wipe the mist
  • condensation mist
Synonyms
  • condensation

    more technical; used for water forming on cold surfaces

  • steam

    hot water vapour that later condenses as mist

Grammar Patterns

mist of + noun (tears, steam, condensation)

covered in mist

Usage Note

Often followed by 'of' and a noun that explains what is producing the mist ('a mist of steam', 'a mist of tears', 'a mist of condensation'). When referring to condensation on glass or mirrors, 'mist up' (verb) is also common.

Common Mistakes

The mirror has mist.
The mirror is covered in mist.' or 'The mirror has misted up.
'Mist' as a noun for surface condensation typically needs a verb like 'covered in' or a phrasal verb.

3. 從噴霧瓶、噴頭等容器噴出的極細小液體微粒。

3.nounB2
Definition

從噴霧瓶、噴頭等容器噴出的極細小液體微粒。

Example

Lukas sprayed a fine mist of water on his orchids every morning.

pattern: fine mist of + noun

The diffuser released a gentle mist of lavender oil into the room.

Common collocations
  • fine mist
  • gentle mist
  • cool mist
  • mist of water
  • daily mist
  • spray a mist
Synonyms
  • spray

    broader term; can be coarse or fine

  • vapour

    gaseous form, not liquid droplets suspended in air

Grammar Patterns

fine mist of + noun

spray a mist

a mist of + liquid

Usage Note

Common in product descriptions (cosmetics, plant care, air fresheners). In gardening contexts, 'mist' often refers to the fine spray from a bottle, while 'spray' is a broader term that can include coarser droplets.

Common Mistakes

I sprayed a big mist on the plant.
I sprayed a fine mist of water on the plant.
'Fine' or 'gentle' is typical to distinguish mist from a heavier spray.

mist — verb

Word family

  • misty
    adjectiveB1
  • mistily
    adverbC1
  • mistiness
    nounC1
  • misted
    adjectiveB2
  • misting
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Fog, mist, haze, and smog all describe reduced visibility in the air, but they differ in cause and density. Fog is the thickest — visibility below 1 km — and consists entirely of water droplets near the ground. Mist is thinner than fog, with visibility between 1 and 2 km, and feels lighter and cooler; it often appears in the morning and clears as the sun warms the ground. Haze is caused by dust, smoke, or dry particles rather than water vapour, giving the air a gray or brown tint; it tends to persist for longer periods. Smog is a blend of fog and pollutants, common in densely populated industrial cities. For example: 'A thick fog delayed flights at the airport.' 'The morning mist lifted as the sun came out.' 'A haze of smoke hung over the stadium after the fireworks.' 'The government restricted traffic to reduce smog levels.'

fog ↗mist ↗hazesmog ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • patches of mist
  • mist rolls in
  • mist clears
  • mist lifts
  • covered in mist

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Mist comes from Old English 'mist', meaning darkness or mist. It traces back to Proto-Germanic '*mihstaz' and further to the Proto-Indo-European root '*meigh-', meaning to blink or to be foggy. Related words appear across the Indo-European language family: ancient Greek 'omíkhlē' (fog, mist), Sanskrit 'megha' (cloud), Old Church Slavonic 'mĭgla' (mist), and Lithuanian 'miglà' (fog).