fog bank: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Descriptive, Literary, Technical (Maritime/Meteorological), Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “fog bank” mean?
A dense, well-defined mass of fog, especially one seen over a body of water or lying in a low-lying area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dense, well-defined mass of fog, especially one seen over a body of water or lying in a low-lying area.
Can metaphorically refer to any dense, localized area of obscurity, confusion, or vagueness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; the concept is identical. British texts may use it slightly more in nautical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral/Descriptive. Slightly dramatic or literary due to visual imagery.
Frequency
Low frequency in general conversation, but standard in descriptive writing and relevant technical fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “fog bank” in a Sentence
A fog bank rolled in from the sea.The ship entered a fog bank.We saw a fog bank on the horizon.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fog bank” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The harbour fog-banked over before dawn.
- The valley began to fog bank as the temperature dropped.
American English
- The coastline fog-banked in by midday.
- The low areas will fog bank overnight.
adverb
British English
- [Rare/Non-standard]
American English
- [Rare/Non-standard]
adjective
British English
- The fog-bank conditions made sailing hazardous.
- We drove through a fog-bank region.
American English
- Fog-bank warnings were issued for the bay.
- They encountered fog-bank visibility on the bridge.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'The negotiations hit a fog bank of regulatory issues.'
Academic
Used in geography, environmental science, and maritime studies descriptions.
Everyday
Used in travel or weather descriptions, especially near coasts or large bodies of water.
Technical
Standard term in meteorology and maritime navigation for a discrete area of fog reducing visibility.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fog bank”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fog bank”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fog bank”
- Using 'fog bank' for a light, general mist.
- Incorrect plural: 'fogs bank' instead of 'fog banks'.
- Spelling as one word: 'fogbank' (less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically written as two words ('fog bank'), though hyphenated forms ('fog-bank') are occasionally seen, especially when used as a modifier before a noun.
Yes, though it is most commonly associated with sea or large lakes. It can describe any distinct, localized mass of fog, such as in a valley or over a field.
'Fog' is the general phenomenon of thick mist. A 'fog bank' is a specific, dense, and often sharply defined mass of it, resembling a distinct object or barrier.
It is not an everyday high-frequency word, but it is a standard term in descriptive language, weather reporting, and nautical contexts. Learners at an intermediate level and above should understand it.
A dense, well-defined mass of fog, especially one seen over a body of water or lying in a low-lying area.
Fog bank is usually descriptive, literary, technical (maritime/meteorological), journalistic in register.
Fog bank: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɒɡ ˌbæŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɑːɡ ˌbæŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'fog bank'; it is itself a metaphorical compound.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BANK of clouds, but made of FOG. Just as a river has banks that contain water, a fog bank 'contains' and defines a mass of fog.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSCURITY IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER/OBJECT (e.g., 'a wall of fog', 'lost in a fog').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'fog bank' LEAST likely to be used literally?