veil of mist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "veil of mist" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a thick layer of mist that covers an area, creating a hazy or mysterious atmosphere. Example: As the sun began to rise, a veil of mist descended upon the quiet forest, shrouding the trees in a ghostly white.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It's almost like a veil of mist.

The New York Times - Arts

The cascade's own spray contributes to the concealment, enveloping the whole scene in a damp veil of mist and mystery.

The Guardian - Travel

So, with about six miles to go in the 108-mile stage, Schleck accelerated up the mountain road, into a veil of mist.

The New York Times - Sports

Its title, "Sacrifice," is enigmatic, for its spirit, reinforced by a veil of mist created by tiny water jets, is upbeat and affirmative.

The New York Times

In Leonardo's landscape segment in the same picture, he also found a new expression for what he called "nature experienced": he reproduced the background forms in a hazy fashion as if through a veil of mist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Poised as though in that half-light between night and morning, heightening consciousness of the muted textures, the music's uneasy feel lifted only gradually, as though a ray of sun finally piercing a veil of mist.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Soft veils of mist touch my face.

The Guardian - Travel

Behind veils of mist, we see the stone walls and arches of a riverside passageway, photographed in dying light.

The New York Times

These peaks provoked like strippers, teasing with veils of mist, sometimes revealing faces, shoulders and other parts; necks strung with glaciers, shards of white jewelry flashing.

Huffington Post

Sunrays danced on the mud-green river, peeping through a veil of lingering mist.

The Guardian - Travel

With Veil, she wraps the Glass House in a veil of dense mist that comes and goes, hiding the Glass House, and making it visible again.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "veil of mist" to create a sense of mystery, concealment, or ethereal beauty in your writing. It's particularly effective in descriptive passages and atmospheric settings.

Common error

Avoid using "veil of mist" in overly predictable or clichéd scenarios (e.g., haunted houses, gothic novels) unless you're deliberately playing with genre conventions. Consider more original imagery to evoke a similar effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "veil of mist" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It creates a vivid image of atmospheric conditions, obscuring or softening the appearance of something. Ludwig AI supports this, showing usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "veil of mist" is a grammatically correct and evocative noun phrase, used to describe a light obscuration. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedias, and wikis. While not overly common, it effectively conveys a sense of mystery or ethereal beauty. When employing this phrase, be mindful of potential clichés and strive for originality in your descriptive writing. Alternatives include "shroud of mist" and "blanket of mist", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shroud of mist

Replaces "veil" with "shroud", suggesting a more enveloping and concealing effect.

blanket of mist

Substitutes "veil" with "blanket", implying a more extensive and uniform covering.

curtain of mist

Uses "curtain" instead of "veil", evoking a sense of separation and dramatic reveal.

layer of mist

Replaces "veil" with "layer", focusing on the stratification of the mist.

haze of mist

Substitutes "veil" with "haze", emphasizing the blurred and indistinct quality of the mist.

foggy haze

Reverses the structure and uses "foggy" to describe the "haze", simplifying the imagery.

misty covering

Uses "misty" as an adjective and replaces "veil" with the more general term "covering".

nebulous mist

Replaces "veil of" with the adjective "nebulous", highlighting the indistinct nature of the mist.

ethereal mist

Employs "ethereal" to describe the mist, adding a supernatural or dreamlike quality.

thin fog

Simplifies the phrase by using "thin" to describe the "fog", conveying a less dense obscuration.

FAQs

How can I use "veil of mist" in a sentence?

You can use "veil of mist" to describe a landscape partially hidden by mist, such as: "The mountains were shrouded in a "veil of mist", making them appear mysterious."

What phrases are similar to "veil of mist"?

Similar phrases include "shroud of mist", "blanket of mist", or "curtain of mist", all conveying a sense of obscured visibility.

Is it more appropriate to say "veil of mist" or "veil of fog"?

While both are acceptable, "veil of mist" often suggests a lighter, more delicate obscuration compared to "veil of fog", which implies a denser, heavier atmospheric condition.

Can "veil of mist" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "veil of mist" can be used metaphorically to describe anything that obscures or hides something, like: "A "veil of mist" covered the truth, making it difficult to discern the facts."