1 B1 neutral
(Of glass or a mirrored surface) To become covered with condensation and difficult to see through.
"My glasses misted up as soon as I walked into the warm kitchen from outside."
inseparable
mist up
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To become covered with condensation or moisture, causing a surface to become unclear.
In plain English
To go blurry because of water droplets forming on glass.
What does "mist up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
(Of eyes) To become watery because of emotion.
"His eyes misted up when the team finally won the championship."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For mist to build up on a surface — the 'up' signals increasing coverage.
Actually means
To go blurry because of water droplets forming on glass.
Usage tip
Very common in British English for glass, windows, mirrors, and car windscreens. Can also be used metaphorically for eyes filling with tears, though 'mist over' is more common for this sense. Highly practical, everyday vocabulary.
Words that pair with "mist up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
windscreen glasses mirror windows goggles visor
How to conjugate "mist up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
mist up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mists up
he/she/it
Past simple
misted up
yesterday
Past participle
misted up
have + pp
-ing form
misting up
continuous
Hear "mist up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "mist up"
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