Definition of 'fog'

Word Frequency

fog

(fɒg )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense fogs , present participle fogging, past tense, past participle fogged

1. variable noun

When there is fog, there are tiny drops of water in the air which form a thick cloud and make it difficult to see things.

The crash happened in thick fog.

These ocean fogs can last for days.

Synonyms: mist, gloom, haze, smog More Synonyms of fog

2. singular noun

A fog is an unpleasant cloud of something such as smoke inside a building or room.

...a fog of stale cigarette smoke. [+ of]

3. singular noun [oft in NOUN]

You can use fog to refer to a situation which stops people from being able to notice things, understand things, or think clearly.

The most basic facts about him are lost in a fog of mythology. [+ of]

Synchronizing these attacks may be difficult in the fog of war. [+ of]

His mind was in a fog when he finally got up.

Synonyms: stupor, confusion, trance, daze More Synonyms of fog

4. ergative verb

If a window, mirror, or other glass surface fogs or is fogged, it becomes covered with very small drops of water so that you cannot see things clearly through it or in it.

The windows fogged immediately. [VERB]

Water had fogged his diving mask and he couldn't remember how to clear it. [VERB noun]

The car windows were fogged with vapor. [VERB-ed]

Synonyms: mist over or up, cloud over, steam up, become misty More Synonyms of fog

Fog up means the same as fog.

The car windows fogged up. [VERB PARTICLE]

It'd fog up their telescopes. [VERB PARTICLE noun (not pronoun)]

His hair was all wet and his glasses were fogged up. [VERB-ed PARTICLE]

More Synonyms of fog

Image of 'fog'

Video: pronunciation of 'fog'

Word Frequency

fog in British 1

(fɒɡ )

noun

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

a cloud of any substance in the atmosphere reducing visibility

a state of mental uncertainty or obscurity

4. photography

a blurred or discoloured area on a developed negative, print, or transparency caused by the action of extraneous light, incorrect development, etc

a colloid or suspension consisting of liquid particles dispersed in a gas

verbWord forms: fogs, fogging or fogged

to envelop or become enveloped with or as if with fog

to confuse or become confused

to fog an issue

8. photography

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

Word origin of 'fog'

C16: perhaps back formation from foggy damp, boggy, from fog2

Word Frequency

fog in British 2

(fɒɡ )

noun

a second growth of grass after the first mowing

grass left to grow long in winter

Word origin of 'fog'

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

Word Frequency

fog in American 1

(fɔg ; fôg; fɑg ; fäg)

noun

a large mass of water vapor condensed to fine particles, at or just above the earth's surface; thick, obscuring mist

a similar mass of smoke, dust, etc. obscuring the atmosphere

a vaporized liquid, as insecticide, dispersed over a large area

a state of mental dimness and confusion; blurred, bewildered state

a grayish area on a photograph or film

verb intransitiveWord forms: fogged or ˈfogging

to become surrounded or covered by fog

to be or become blurred, dimmed, or obscured

verb transitive

to surround or cover with fog

to blur; dim; obscure

10.

to confuse; bewilder

11. Slang

to hurl (a baseball, etc.)

12.

to make (a photograph, etc.) grayish in certain areas

SIMILAR WORDS: mist

Word origin of 'fog'

prob. < Scand, as in ON fok, Dan (sne)fog, driving snow, Norw dial. fuka, sea mist < IE base *pū-, to puff up, blow, of echoic orig.

Word Frequency

fog in American 2

(fɔg ; fôg; fɑg ; fäg)

noun

a new growth of grass after cutting or grazing

long, rank grass left uncut or left standing

3. Scottish

moss

Word origin of 'fog'

ME fogge, prob. < Scand as in Norw dial. fogg, long grass in moist place, akin to Ger feucht, damp: see fen1

Example sentences containing 'fog'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Where will we be when the fog of uncertainty clears? Times, Sunday Times (2017)Police said that visibility had been low because of thick fog. Times, Sunday Times (2017)It came moments after the group had warned motorists to drive sensibly in the thick fog. The Sun (2016)It was attributed to thick fog. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The next few days should be mainly dry, with mist and fog in the morning. Times, Sunday Times (2016)High pressure is expected to return to southern regions, where calm conditions could bring the return of mist, fog and frost. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It issued a yellow fog warning covering swathes of the UK until at least 11am. The Sun (2017)The fog was so thick by then that I haven't a clue what happened. The Sun (2016)Nature notes Birds still move about in the mist and fog if these are not too dense, and one can sometimes hear an invisible bird. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Local media said that rescue workers had trouble accessing the area due to heavy rain and fog. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The meeting was called off due to fog before the last two. The Sun (2010)Fog will form once the rain clears. The Sun (2015)So has this blizzard of data cleared the fog that clouds the path of borrowing costs? Times, Sunday Times (2007)You just have mile after mile of fog. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Lots of rain and fog in the area is quite typical. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. Christianity Today (2000)Not so much a case of red mist as a fog of righteousness. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The letter of recommendation could have got lost in the muddle and fog of war. The Sun (2012)Where fog or low cloud lingers it will be chilly for some. Times, Sunday Times (2015)None of this cleared the fog around the deal. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Investigators fear their calls may have affected navigation gear as the crew battled to land in heavy fog. The Sun (2010)The match was reduced to a farce as heavy snow swamped the pitch and reduced visibility like a fog. Times, Sunday Times (2006)If you need to use fog lamps, you should not be driving at speed. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Nor is it likely that big businesses will dip into their cash reserves until the fog of uncertainty obscuring future fiscal policy lifts. Times, Sunday Times (2012)There were few cancellations yesterday at other airports hit by last week's fog. Times, Sunday Times (2006)The morning was raw and fog had formed an ethereal shroud over Wolverhampton. Times, Sunday Times (2010)It invariably takes me by surprise when I enter a steamy greenhouse in winter and my glasses fog up. Times, Sunday Times (2010)But the five drivers contesting the World Championship here cannot allow the fog of uncertainty to cloud their minds. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Therefore I will continue to use the car 's fog lights on these roads for safety. Times, Sunday Times (2014)On another day I counted 19 cars with fog lights glaring in otherwise good driving conditions. Times, Sunday Times (2007)