Mizzle

In Appalachian & Southern speech, mizzle means a **light, misty rain** - finer than drizzle, barely enough to wet the porch but enough to notice.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #WeatherandSeasons #OldTimers #Southern

synonyms: drizzle, misting

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Mizzle' is one I can't remember hearin' - only readin'. I think this one's more old timers.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

'Mizzle' is one I can't remember hearin' - only readin'. I think this one's more old timers.

Pronunciation

[MIZ-ul]
/ˈmɪz.əl/

Meaning & Usage

- A very light, mist-like rain (noun)

Mae:

Think it's gonna pour?

Earl:

Naw, just a mizzle. Won’t hurt nothin’.

- To rain lightly in a fine mist (verb)

Mae:

Feelin’ any drops?

Earl:

Reckon it’s just mizzlin’ a bit.

variations: mizzlin, mizzling

★ Weather words stick hard in mountain talk, and "mizzle" hits that sweet spot between drizzle and fog - perfect for those soft, gray days that never quite turn into real rain. ★

Origin and Etymology

"Mizzle" comes from older Scots and northern English dialects meaning "fine rain" or "misty drizzle," recorded since the 1500s. Scots-Irish settlers carried the term to the American South and Appalachia, where it remained a recognized weather word long after it faded elsewhere.

Usage Notes

Still heard in pockets of the South and Appalachia, especially among older speakers and in rural communities. While not unknown elsewhere, it is much less common outside these regions, and many non-Southerners interpret it as an old-fashioned or quaint weather term.

Often used when the rain is too light to justify an umbrella.
Can describe both the rain itself and the act of raining lightly.
The -in’ form ("mizzlin’") is extremely common in everyday speech.
Sometimes appears in local weather reports in mountain regions.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "mizzle" still used today?

Yes - mostly in Appalachian and Southern rural areas, though it’s more old-timey.

Is mizzle stronger or lighter than drizzle?

Lighter. It’s between fog and drizzle.

Does "mizzle" come from British English?

Yes - it has deep Scots and northern English roots, which is why it thrived in Appalachia.

Is it a joke word?

No - it’s a genuine, historically attested dialect term for fine rain.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, November 25). Mizzle. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mizzle
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Mizzle." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Nov. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mizzle.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Mizzle." HillbillySlang.com. November 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/mizzle.