haze

¹

[ heyz ]

noun

1. an aggregation in the atmosphere of very fine, widely dispersed, solid or liquid particles, or both, giving the air an opalescent appearance that subdues colors.
2. vagueness or obscurity, as of the mind or perception; confused or vague thoughts, feelings, etc.:

   The victims were still in a haze and couldn't describe the accident.

verb (used with or without object)

, hazed, haz·ing.

1. to make or become hazy.

haze

²

[ heyz ]

verb (used with object)

, hazed, haz·ing.

1. to subject (freshmen, newcomers, etc.) to abusive or humiliating tricks and ridicule.
2. Chiefly Nautical. to harass with unnecessary or disagreeable tasks.

haze

¹

/ heɪz /

noun

1. meteorol
   1. reduced visibility in the air as a result of condensed water vapour, dust, etc, in the atmosphere
   2. the moisture or dust causing this
2. obscurity of perception, feeling, etc

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by over to make or become hazy

haze

²

/ heɪz /

verb

1. to subject (fellow students) to ridicule or abuse
2. nautical to harass with humiliating tasks

Derived Forms

• ˈhazer, noun

Other Words From

• hazeless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of haze¹

First recorded in 1700–10; perhaps noun use of unattested Middle English hase; Old English hasu, variant of haswa “ashen, dusky”; hazy, hare

Origin of haze²

First recorded in 1670–80, haze is from the Middle French word haser to irritate, annoy

Word History and Origins

Origin of haze¹

C18: back formation from hazy

Origin of haze²

C17: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

see in a fog (haze) .

Synonym Study

See cloud.

Example Sentences

Because though it was never guaranteed in our household, in those years following the rebellion, in those sometimes unsteady months as a new family of three in the haze of my parents divorce, we held on to the depth of that possibility no matter what came our way.

From Los Angeles Times

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies rushed older Moorpark residents in wheelchairs down steep driveways and out of homes, amid orange haze and battered by wind gusts, Key News Network video showed.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a haze that features four women shilling themselves out for a hot date with a Chalamet.

From Salon

I’ve seen several dozen people gathered there at once under the haze of fentanyl smoke, bodies and faces ravaged, and I’ve wondered each time why there isn’t a massive relief effort under way — like you might see in an emergency response to a natural disaster.

From Los Angeles Times

The image from the Cybercab livestream shows a man — with a build and haircut similar to Gosling’s — wearing a brown trench coat and standing on red dirt while overlooking a city skyline enveloped in a thick, orange haze.

From Los Angeles Times