fogbow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “fogbow” mean?
A meteorological optical phenomenon appearing as a broad, whitish arch in fog, similar to a rainbow but with very pale colors or no colors at all.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A meteorological optical phenomenon appearing as a broad, whitish arch in fog, similar to a rainbow but with very pale colors or no colors at all.
Sometimes used metaphorically to describe something that is faint, elusive, or less vivid than expected.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both varieties. The alternative names 'white rainbow' or 'mist bow' might be slightly more common in general conversation than the specific term 'fogbow'.
Connotations
Neutral scientific term in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Its use is almost exclusively confined to meteorological texts, nature writing, or specialized discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “fogbow” in a Sentence
A fogbow appeared over the moor.We saw a faint fogbow in the valley.The fogbow formed in the early morning mist.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in meteorology, atmospheric physics, and physical geography texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by weather enthusiasts, hikers, or photographers describing a rare sight.
Technical
The primary context. Precise term for a specific atmospheric phenomenon.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fogbow”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fogbow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fogbow”
- Spelling as 'fog bow' (two words) is acceptable but less common than the single word. Confusing it with a 'glory' or a 'halo', which are different optical phenomena.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A rainbow is caused by refraction and reflection in larger raindrops, producing vivid colours. A fogbow is caused by diffraction in much smaller fog or cloud droplets, resulting in a broad, pale, often whitish arch with very faint or no colours.
No. A moonbow is a rainbow produced by moonlight. A fogbow is defined by the size of the water droplets (very small, in fog). It is possible to have a 'fog moonbow' if the conditions align.
In areas with thick fog or mist and bright sunlight behind the observer, such as mountain ridges, coastal cliffs, or open fields in the early morning.
Yes, from an elevated viewpoint like an aeroplane or a mountain, a full circular fogbow (a 'fog glory') can sometimes be observed.
A meteorological optical phenomenon appearing as a broad, whitish arch in fog, similar to a rainbow but with very pale colors or no colors at all.
Fogbow is usually technical / scientific in register.
Fogbow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɒɡbəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɑːɡboʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FOG makes a BOW (like a ribbon) in the sky, but it's pale like the fog itself.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN EPHEMERAL/FAINT PHENOMENON IS A FOGBOW (e.g., 'Their promises were just a political fogbow').
Practice
Quiz
What primarily causes a fogbow?