What does haze mean?
Haze is a thin mist, cloud, or atmospheric veil that reduces visibility and makes objects appear indistinct. It can refer to natural conditions, as in a morning haze over fields, or to smoke, dust, and other particles suspended in the air. Figuratively, haze describes vague, confused, or obscured thinking: a person may speak through a haze of uncertainty, or a policy may be shrouded in a haze of technical language. The related verb means to make something hazy or indistinct, as when fog hazes a landscape or poor communication hazes an argument. Haze is especially effective when describing anything that is not completely hidden but prevents clear perception. Its figurative uses convey uncertainty, limited visibility, and gradual rather than absolute obscurity. In British and American English, it is a standard word in both meteorological and literary contexts.
A thin mist, cloud, or atmospheric condition that makes objects or outlines indistinct; also, a figurative state of vagueness or confusion.
"A warm haze covered the valley at sunrise."
The figurative sense is common in discussion of language, memory, politics, and uncertain circumstances.
To make something hazy, obscure, or less clear to perception or understanding.
"Thick smoke hazed the windows of the apartment."
This use is less common than the noun and is especially natural with "over" or in passive constructions.
The plural is used for separate areas or kinds of haze, especially different forms of atmospheric or figurative obscurity.
"Early morning hazes softened the outlines of the distant hills."
Haze can describe both a literal atmospheric condition and the figurative fog that makes an idea, situation, or memory difficult to see clearly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haze come from?
The word haze was established in English by the 17th century for atmospheric dimness or indistinctness. Its precise ultimate origin is uncertain, although it developed within the older Germanic vocabulary associated with dusk, darkness, or indistinct appearance. The related adjective hazy and adverb hazily were formed later from the established English noun.
Related word forms
How haze is actually used
The noun is common both for visible atmospheric conditions and for figurative states of confusion or uncertainty. The verb is less frequent and often appears in constructions such as "haze over" or in passive forms indicating that something has been made less clear.