haze

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: fine dust, smoke, or light vapor causing lack of transparency of the air
b
: a cloudy appearance in a transparent liquid or solid
also : a dullness of finish (as on furniture)
2
: something suggesting atmospheric haze
especially : vagueness of mind or mental perception

haze

2 of 3

verb (1)

hazed; hazing

transitive verb

: to make hazy, dull, or cloudy

intransitive verb

: to become hazy or cloudy

haze

3 of 3

verb (2)

hazed; hazing

transitive verb

1
a
: to harass by exacting unnecessary or disagreeable work
b
: to harass by banter, ridicule, or criticism
2
: to haze by way of initiation
haze the fraternity pledges
3
Western US : to drive (animals, such as cattle or horses) from horseback
hazer noun

Examples of haze in a Sentence

Noun The bar was filled with a smoky haze. She stumbled around in a drug-induced haze. Verb (2) the roughnecks on the oil rig would haze the young man for his refined manners and educated speech
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Uranus has methane, too—more, in fact—but the strength of its blue is diluted by haze in its upper atmosphere. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024 The scene feels more like fantasy than reality, perhaps a daydream or hallucination conjured from one of Lois’s alcoholic hazes. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
In the past, Oregon officials tried to haze or trap and remove sea lions back to the ocean. Gwozniac, oregonlive, 8 Apr. 2023 So Owen is scrambling and learning on the job — relying on his wits and a taste for risk — while his more seasoned colleagues are dreaming up ways to haze and undermine him. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for haze 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably back-formation from hazy

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1801, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of haze was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near haze

Cite this Entry

“Haze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haze. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

haze

1 of 3 noun
1
: fine dust, smoke, or light vapor causing lack of transparency in the air
2
: unclearness of mind or perception : daze

haze

2 of 3 verb
hazed; hazing
: to make or become hazy or cloudy

haze

3 of 3 verb
hazed; hazing
: to play unpleasant and humiliating tricks on (as new members of a college fraternity) or force to perform humiliating tasks or stunts
hazer noun
Etymology

Noun

from hazy

Verb

origin unknown

More from Merriam-Webster on haze

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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