misty-eyed

[ mis-tee-ahyd ]

adjective

1. on the verge of tears.
2. sentimental:

   a misty-eyed romantic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of misty-eyed¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

And she was misty-eyed when she described trying the dress on for Bezos: “He told me I had never looked so beautiful,” she said.

From Seattle Times

In the audience, Walton’s dad — who said he would miss his son, his best buddy, terribly — was misty-eyed.

From Los Angeles Times

In it, he’s dressed in crisp white short sleeves, seated on the edge of his cot, misty-eyed and grinning as he holds up the ultrasound Mom sent him in the mail.

From Literature

Accompanying Monday’s announcement, Macklemore posted a misty-eyed montage teeming with Seattle pride, highlighting his journey from hometown kid honing his craft to globe-trotting star with a platform to share with the next generation.

From Seattle Times

Films about filmmakers, especially in recent years, tend to lean into self-congratulation — misty-eyed valentines to the magic of moviemaking, and to the noble if flawed souls who strive to put their art onscreen.

From New York Times