Main Difference
The main difference between Fog and Mist is that the Fog is a atmospheric phenomenon and Mist is a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in air.
Fog
Fog is a visible aerosol consisting of tiny water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth’s surface. Fog can be considered a type of low-lying cloud, usually resembling stratus, and is heavily influenced by nearby bodies of water, topography, and wind conditions. In turn, fog has affected many human activities, such as shipping, travel, and warfare.
Mist
Mist is a phenomenon caused by small droplets of water suspended in air. Physically, it is an example of a dispersion. It is most commonly seen where warm, moist air meets sudden cooling, such as in exhaled air in the winter, or when throwing water onto the hot stove of a sauna. It can be created artificially with aerosol canisters if the humidity and temperature conditions are right. It can also occur as part of natural weather, when humid air cools rapidly, for example when the air comes into contact with surfaces that are much cooler than the air.
The formation of mist, as of other suspensions, is greatly aided by the presence of nucleation sites on which the suspended water phase can congeal. Thus even such unusual sources as small particulates from volcanic eruptions, releases of strongly polar gases, and even the magnetospheric ions associated with polar lights can in right conditions trigger the formation of mist and can make mirrors appear foggy. Mist on mirrors should not be mistaken for condensation as they are very different. Mist is a collection of water droplets but condensation is the water droplets in a different form.
Mist is commonly mistaken for fog. These two things are very different, however they do have some things in common. Fog and mist are both formed the same way. Fog is denser and generally lasts for longer but mist is thinner and you can see more clearly through it.
Fog (noun)
A thick cloud that forms near the ground; the obscurity of such a cloud.
Fog (noun)
A mist or film clouding a surface.
Fog (noun)
A state of mind characterized by lethargy and confusion.
“He did so many drugs, he was still in a fog three months after going through detox.”
Fog (noun)
A silver deposit or other blur on a negative or developed photographic image.
Fog (noun)
Distance fog.
Fog (noun)
A new growth of grass appearing on a field that has been mowed or grazed.
Fog (noun)
Tall and decaying grass left standing after the cutting or grazing season; foggage.
Fog (noun)
Moss.
Fog (verb)
To become covered with or as if with fog.
Fog (verb)
To become obscured in condensation or water.
“The mirror fogged every time he showered.”
Fog (verb)
To become dim or obscure.
Fog (verb)
To cover with or as if with fog.
Fog (verb)
To disperse insecticide into (a forest canopy) so as to collect organisms.
Fog (verb)
To obscure in condensation or water.
Fog (verb)
To make confusing or obscure.
Fog (verb)
To make dim or obscure.
Fog (verb)
To practice in a small or mean way; to pettifog.
Fog (verb)
To pasture cattle on the fog, or aftergrass, of; to eat off the fog from.
Fog (verb)
To become covered with the kind of grass called fog.
Mist (noun)
Water or other liquid finely suspended in air.
“It was difficult to see through the morning mist.”
Mist (noun)
A layer of fine droplets or particles.
“There was an oily mist on the lens.”
Mist (noun)
Anything that dims or darkens, and obscures or intercepts vision.
Mist (verb)
To form mist.
“It’s misting this morning.”
Mist (verb)
To spray fine droplets on, particularly of water.
“I mist my tropical plants every morning.”
Mist (verb)
To cover with a mist.
“The lens was misted.”
Mist (verb)
To be covered by tears.
“My eyes misted when I remembered what had happened.”
Fog (noun)
a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth’s surface which obscures or restricts visibility (to a greater extent than mist; strictly, reducing visibility to below 1 km)
“the collision occurred in thick fog”
Fog (noun)
an opaque mass of particles in the air
“a whirling fog of dust”
Fog (noun)
cloudiness which obscures the image on a developed negative or print.
Fog (noun)
a state or cause of perplexity or confusion
“the coffee helped clear the fog in my brain”
Fog (noun)
the grass which grows in a field after a crop of hay has been taken.
Fog (noun)
long grass left standing in a pasture and used as winter grazing.
Fog (verb)
(with reference to a glass surface) cover or become covered with steam
“the windscreen was starting to fog up”
“hot steam drifted about her, fogging up the window”
Fog (verb)
make (a film, negative, or print) obscure or cloudy.
Fog (verb)
bewilder or puzzle
“she stared at him, confusion fogging her brain”
Fog (verb)
make (an idea or situation) difficult to understand
“the government has been fogging the issue”
Fog (verb)
spray with an insecticide.
Mist (noun)
a cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth’s surface that limits visibility (to a lesser extent than fog; strictly, with visibility remaining above 1 km)
“the peaks were shrouded in mist”
“a mist rose out of the river”
Mist (noun)
a condensed vapour settling in fine droplets on a surface
“a breeze cooled the mist of perspiration that had dampened her temples”
Mist (noun)
a haze or film over the eyes, especially caused by tears, and resulting in blurred vision
“Ruth saw most of the scene through a mist of tears”
Mist (noun)
used in reference to something that blurs one’s perceptions or memory
“Sardinia’s origins are lost in the mists of time”
Mist (verb)
cover or become covered with mist
“the windows of the car were misted up with condensation”
“the glass was beginning to mist up”
Mist (verb)
(of a person’s eyes) become covered with a film of tears causing blurred vision
“her eyes misted over with relief and joy”
Mist (verb)
spray (something, especially a plant) with a fine cloud of water droplets
“don’t mist furry-leaved plants such as African violets”