fog
fog
Fog (noun) means a thick cloud of tiny water droplets close to the ground that reduces visibility. Example: “Walking to the station this morning, I could hardly see the shops through the grey fog.”
noun
1
A thick cloud of tiny water droplets close to the ground that reduces visibility.
"Walking to the station this morning, I could hardly see the shops through the grey fog."
"The fog was so thick we could barely see the road."
"Flights were delayed for hours because of dense fog."
2
A state of mental confusion or unclear thinking.
"After three nights without proper sleep, I was walking around in a fog all day."
"The fog in his head cleared once he had a strong cup of coffee."
"She was still in a fog after the anesthesia wore off."
verb
1
To become covered in mist or condensation, or to make something unclear.
"My glasses fog up whenever I come in from the cold."
"The bathroom mirror fogged up after his shower."
"Grief fogged his judgment for weeks."
How to use fog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thick low cloud that blocks visibility, or a state of confused thinking; as a verb, to cover with mist or make unclear.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
thick fog
fog up
in a fog
fog rolled in
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Word forms
- Plural
- fogs
- Third person singular
- fogs
- Past tense
- fogged
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Walking to the station this morning, I could hardly see the shops through the grey _____.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, but probably linked to old North Germanic words for a squall or drifting spray, possibly related to a separate older English "fog" meaning tall marsh grass.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “fog” mean?
The word “fog” means a thick cloud of tiny water droplets close to the ground that reduces visibility. In plain terms, a thick low cloud that blocks visibility, or a state of confused thinking; as a verb, to cover with mist or make unclear.
How do you pronounce “fog”?
“Fog” is pronounced fog (/fɑɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fog” in a sentence?
Here is “fog” used in a sentence: “The fog was so thick we could barely see the road.”
What part of speech is “fog”?
Depending on how it is used, “fog” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fog” come from?
The word “fog” comes from Germanic. Origin uncertain, but probably linked to old North Germanic words for a squall or drifting spray, possibly related to a separate older English "fog" meaning tall marsh grass.
Is “fog” a common word?
“Fog” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fog” have?
“Fog” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick cloud of tiny water droplets close to the ground that reduces visibility.
What is the difference between 'fog' and 'mist'?
Both are clouds of tiny water droplets near the ground, but fog is thicker and reduces visibility more. Meteorologically, it is usually called fog when visibility falls below about 1 kilometre and mist when visibility is better than that.
What is the difference between 'fog' and 'haze'?
'Fog' is made of water droplets and greatly reduces visibility. 'Haze' is caused by dry particles such as dust or smoke suspended in the air, giving a milkier look without the same dampness.
What is the difference between 'fog' and 'smog'?
'Smog' is a blend of 'smoke' and 'fog' and refers to fog or haze combined with air pollution. Plain 'fog' is simply water droplets suspended close to the ground.
When is 'fog' used to describe the mind?
'Fog' can describe a state of mental confusion or unclear thinking, as in 'brain fog' or being 'in a fog'. In this figurative use it means someone is struggling to think clearly.
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