fog

¹

[ fog, fawg ]

noun

1. a cloudlike mass or layer of minute water droplets or ice crystals near the surface of the earth, appreciably reducing visibility. Compare ice fog def, mist ( def 1 ), smog ( def 1 ).
2. any darkened state of the atmosphere, or the diffused substance that causes it.
3. a state of mental confusion or unawareness; daze; stupor:

   The survivors were in a fog for days after the catastrophe.

   Synonyms: dim, darken, blur, cloud, trance, muddle, haze

   Antonyms: clarity

4. Photography. a hazy effect on a developed negative or positive, caused by light other than that forming the image, by improper handling during development, or by the use of excessively old film.
5. Physical Chemistry. a mixture consisting of liquid particles dispersed in a gaseous medium.

verb (used with object)

, fogged, fog·ging.

1. to cover or envelop with or as if with fog:

   The steam in the room fogged his glasses.

2. to confuse or obscure:

   The debate did little else but fog the issue.

   Synonyms: obfuscate, obscure, muddy, confuse, befog, becloud

   Antonyms: clarify

3. to bewilder or perplex:

   to fog the mind.

   Synonyms: befuddle, daze, mystify, muddle

4. Photography. to produce fog on (a negative or positive).

verb (used without object)

, fogged, fog·ging.

1. to become enveloped or obscured with or as if with fog.

   Antonyms: clear

2. Photography. (of a negative or positive) to become affected by fog.

fog

²

[ fog, fawg ]

noun

, U.S. and British Dialect.

1. a second growth of grass, as after mowing.
2. long grass left standing in fields during the winter.

fog

¹

/ fɒɡ /

noun

1. a mass of droplets of condensed water vapour suspended in the air, often greatly reducing visibility, corresponding to a cloud but at a lower level
2. a cloud of any substance in the atmosphere reducing visibility
3. a state of mental uncertainty or obscurity
4. photog a blurred or discoloured area on a developed negative, print, or transparency caused by the action of extraneous light, incorrect development, etc
5. a colloid or suspension consisting of liquid particles dispersed in a gas

verb

1. to envelop or become enveloped with or as if with fog
2. to confuse or become confused

   to fog an issue

3. photog to produce fog on (a negative, print, or transparency) or (of a negative, print, or transparency) to be affected by fog

fog

²

/ fɒɡ /

noun

1. 1. a second growth of grass after the first mowing
   2. grass left to grow long in winter

fog

/ fôg /

1. A dense layer of cloud lying close to the surface of the ground or water and reducing visibility to less than 1 km (0.62 mi). Fog occurs when the air temperature becomes identical, or nearly identical, to the dew point.
2. An opaque or semiopaque condensation of a substance floating in a region or forming on a surface.

Other Words From

• fogless adjective
• un·fogged adjective
• un·fogging adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fog¹

First recorded in 1535–45; perhaps by back formation from foggy; fog ²

Origin of fog²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English fogge, from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian fogg “long, scattered grass on damp ground”; further origin uncertain; foggy

Word History and Origins

Origin of fog¹

C16: perhaps back formation from foggy damp, boggy, from fog ²

Origin of fog²

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian fogg rank grass

Idioms and Phrases

see in a fog .

Synonym Study

See cloud.

Example Sentences

It marks a new beginning, escorts us through our mental fog, and gets us safely into the next phase of our day.

From Popular-Science

The fog of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic continues to loom — and now that sense of foreboding unknown is starting to affect the norms of fall marketing.

From Digiday

This might explain why stepping outside on a bright sunny day helps clear the fog from your head.

From Science News For Students

There I was high enough up to have fog both above and below me.

From Science News For Students

That’s because if you’re near fog, you’re probably inside it.

From Science News For Students

The stench of corruption is settling over world soccer like a poisonous fog, and players are paying the price.

From The Daily Beast

Dawn was rising on November 24, 1964, and there was a slight fog but otherwise clear visibility.

From The Daily Beast

A fog of conspiracy—of logic against logic, as Orwell put it—has descended on every major event in the war.

From The Daily Beast

Although some groups, through the thick fog of tear gas, pepper spray and smoke that hung over the city, still lingered.

From The Daily Beast

So we changed that into a fog machine blast right before I go on.

From The Daily Beast

The fire along the three miles front is like the rumble of an express train running over fog signals.

From Project Gutenberg

The huge sail thrust its yard high above the fog bank, and watchers on the river side saw it.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 7th of August we neared the Canary Isles, but unfortunately, on account of the thick fog, we could not see them.

From Project Gutenberg

If there be no facilities for stopping for the night, a driver is not negligent should he proceed through the fog.

From Project Gutenberg

The sand hung in fog-like clouds shrouding the sun, dimming the usual brilliance.

From Project Gutenberg