Is foggy the same as misty?

Not exactly. Foggy means thicker fog and less visibility. Misty usually means lighter, thinner moisture in the air.

Can I say foggy when I feel mentally unclear?

Yes. People say they feel foggy when they are tired, sick, or cannot think clearly.

Is foggy formal or informal?

It is a common everyday word. It is also fine in travel, weather, and academic writing.

← Dictionary

foggy

/ˈfɒɡ.i/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

1.
Covered with fog, or full of mist. The air looks white or grey, and it is hard to see far.
- It was a foggy morning by the sea.
- Drive slowly in foggy weather.
2.
Not clear in your mind, or hard to understand. You may feel confused, sleepy, or unable to think well.
- I felt foggy after the long flight.
- Her memory of the day was foggy.

Adinary Nuance

Foggy is more specific than misty or cloudy. Use foggy when thick fog makes it hard to see, while misty suggests lighter moisture in the air. For the mind, foggy means unclear or dull, and it often sounds more natural than cloudy in everyday speech.

In other languages

Vietnamese: có sương mù
Spanish: con niebla
Chinese: 有雾的
Japanese: 霧の
Korean: 안개 낀

Etymology

Foggy comes from fog, an Old English word, with the adjective ending -y. It has been used in English since Middle English.

Common phrases

foggy weatherfoggy morningfoggy memoryfoggy mind

Synonyms

misty hazy blurred

Related words

fog mist cloudy dizzy

Frequently asked questions

Is foggy the same as misty?: Not exactly. Foggy means thicker fog and less visibility. Misty usually means lighter, thinner moisture in the air.
Can I say foggy when I feel mentally unclear?: Yes. People say they feel foggy when they are tired, sick, or cannot think clearly.
Is foggy formal or informal?: It is a common everyday word. It is also fine in travel, weather, and academic writing.