noun
Uncommon
haze
hayz
Haze (noun) means a thin layer of smoke, dust, or moisture in the air that slightly blurs visibility. Example: “A heavy haze hung over the city after the wildfires.”
noun
1
A thin layer of smoke, dust, or moisture in the air that slightly blurs visibility.
"A heavy haze hung over the city after the wildfires."
"Through the haze, they could just make out the mountains."
2
A state of mental confusion or vagueness.
"She remembered the accident only as a haze."
verb
1
To subject someone, especially a newcomer, to humiliating or dangerous initiation rituals.
"The fraternity was suspended after members were caught hazing new pledges."
How to use haze
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA light fog-like haze in the air, mental fogginess, or (as a verb) forcing someone through a harsh initiation.
Common mistake
The verb sense (initiation ritual) is unrelated in feeling to the weather sense — context makes clear which is meant.
Common pairings
a haze of smoke
in a haze
hazing ritual
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Word forms
- Plural
- hazes
- Third person singular
- hazes
- Past tense
- hazed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A heavy _____ hung over the city after the wildfires.
Etymology
First recorded in the late 1600s; possibly a back-formation from "hazy," itself linked to an Old Norse word for grey.
Class of 1600
haze joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for haze
See all rhymes for haze →Frequently asked questions
What does “haze” mean?
The word “haze” means a thin layer of smoke, dust, or moisture in the air that slightly blurs visibility. In plain terms, a light fog-like haze in the air, mental fogginess, or (as a verb) forcing someone through a harsh initiation.
How do you pronounce “haze”?
“Haze” is pronounced hayz (/heɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “haze” in a sentence?
Here is “haze” used in a sentence: “A heavy haze hung over the city after the wildfires.”
What part of speech is “haze”?
Depending on how it is used, “haze” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “haze” come from?
The word “haze” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Old Norse. First recorded in the late 1600s; possibly a back-formation from "hazy," itself linked to an Old Norse word for grey.
Is “haze” a common word?
“Haze” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “haze” have?
“Haze” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin layer of smoke, dust, or moisture in the air that slightly blurs visibility.
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