mizzle

¹

[ miz-uhl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, miz·zled, miz·zling.

1. to rain in fine drops; drizzle; mist.

noun

1. mist or drizzle.

mizzle

²

[ miz-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, British Slang.

, miz·zled, miz·zling.

1. to disappear or leave suddenly.

mizzle

³

[ miz-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, South Midland and Southern U.S.

, miz·zled, miz·zling.

1. to confuse; muddle.

mizzle

¹

/ ˈmɪzəl /

verb

1. slang.
   intr to decamp

mizzle

²

/ ˈmɪzəl /

verb

1. a dialect word for drizzle

Derived Forms

• ˈmizzly, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mizzle¹

First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English missellen, missill; cognate with Dutch (dialect) mizzelen, Low German miseln “to drizzle”; akin to Middle Dutch misel “mist, dew”; -le

Origin of mizzle²

First recorded in 1775–85; origin uncertain

Origin of mizzle³

First recorded in 1575–85; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of mizzle¹

C18: of unknown origin

Origin of mizzle²

C15: perhaps from Low German miseln to drizzle; compare Dutch dialect miezelen to drizzle

Example Sentences

The murk and mizzle kept the players off for almost three hours, though the break did little to stall England's momentum.

From BBC

The location has been changed due to weather, the official said, after rainy mist - known as "mizzle" by locals - enveloped the sandy beaches and ragged coastline of the southern English county of Cornwall.

From Reuters

By the time I left the cathedral it was already dark, mizzling, the kind of rain that looks like mist but drenches you in minutes.

From The New Yorker

Yet for the Seahawks the murk and mizzle of this grey Wembley evening felt like a home away from home as they pummelled the Oakland Raiders 27-3.

From Seattle Times

Yet for the Seahawks the murk and mizzle of this grey Wembley evening felt like a home from home as they pummelled the Oakland Raiders 27-3.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• dribble
• spray
• sprinkle