mist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a thin layer of water droplets formed in the air near the ground due to condensation. For example: The sun rose over the lake, lighting up the morning mist.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Maddened by his entirely deserved punishment, Rijkaard was enveloped in red mist and, as he jogged past Völler to take up his position for Andy Brehme's free-kick, he spat in the German's carefully coiffured mullet.

The Guardian - Sport

Behind me, one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in the world crashes down in a frenzy of white mist.

The Guardian - Travel

A fortnight later, on Friday the 13th, we arrived in the British Virgin Islands by a full moon, glimpsing a dark ocean dotted with islands through tropical sea mist.

The Guardian - Travel

The range of flavours has expanded to more than 8,000 and now includes roast beef, unicorn milk and vagina mist.

The Guardian

White-faced figures in bright robes emerge from the twilight mist like ghosts from ancient times.

The Guardian - Arts

I have never been moved to tears by a skyline, or a building, or a painted arch, but the sudden apparition of a peak from behind a sheet of mist is enough, now, to make me cry.

The Guardian - Books

It's magical and remote, mist drifting over the jutting limestone karsts, the lake banked by thick jungle.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Strolling down Sofia's pedestrianised, bar-lined central boulevard with mist-shrouded Mount Vitosha looming in the distance, Dimitar Daskalov, a 28 year-old who works in quality assurance for a Canadian company, is pessimistic about the election.

The Guardian

Much of her heart, though, lay in Africa, and her writing soared when recounting the labour of blacks, the easy bigotry of little-Englander whites (like her parents) and the sights and sounds of the place, from the smoke-mist of dawn to the rustling, creeping noise at night that revealed itself as rain.

The Economist

Soldiers in camouflaged fatigues patrol the mist-shrouded rice fields and jungle thickets that border the roadside.

The Economist

No sooner had the diplomats returned to Bogota than news came through of a FARC attack on a marine detachment guarding a telecoms tower on a mist-shrouded mountain in south-east Colombia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mist" to describe a light atmospheric phenomenon where visibility is only slightly reduced, distinguishing it from heavier fog.

Common error

Avoid using "mist" when describing completely clear or sunny conditions. "Mist" implies some level of obscurity or reduced visibility, so using it inappropriately can confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The word "mist" functions primarily as a noun, referring to water droplets suspended in the air. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing weather conditions and visual effects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Travel

13%

Sport

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

18%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "mist" is a versatile noun used to describe a light atmospheric phenomenon, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is descriptive, setting scenes and evoking moods across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Travel, and Sports reporting. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's crucial to distinguish "mist" from denser conditions like fog, and avoid its misuse in descriptions of clear weather. Consider synonyms like "haze" or "spray" depending on the context. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its effectiveness in creating vivid imagery and conveying specific atmospheric conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fog

Refers to a thicker, more opaque atmospheric condition than "mist".

haze

Suggests a dry, less dense obscurity in the air, often caused by dust or smoke.

smog

Implies air pollution combined with fog or mist, often found in urban areas.

sea fret

Specifically describes a coastal fog or mist.

cloudiness

A more general term for the presence of clouds, which can sometimes manifest as mist near the ground.

spray

Refers to fine droplets of liquid, often water, dispersed in the air, similar to mist but typically created artificially.

vapor

Describes a gaseous form of a substance, especially water, which can condense into mist.

vapour

UK spelling for vapor. Describes a gaseous form of a substance, especially water, which can condense into mist.

exhalation

Highlights the act of breathing out, suggesting the visible breath in cold air, akin to a transient mist.

nebulosity

Suggests a hazy or indistinct quality, applicable to both atmospheric conditions and abstract concepts.

FAQs

How can I use "mist" in a sentence?

You can use "mist" to describe a light atmospheric phenomenon. For example, "The morning mist covered the valley".

What can I say instead of "mist"?

You can use alternatives like "fog", "haze", or "spray" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'a mist of tears'?

Yes, the expression 'a mist of tears' is correct. It suggests a light veil of tears in the eyes, indicating sadness or emotion.

What is the difference between "mist" and "fog"?

"Mist" is a light atmospheric condition where visibility is slightly reduced, while "fog" is denser and reduces visibility more significantly. Both are caused by water droplets suspended in the air.