smoky
/ˈsməʊ.ki/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
- 1.
Covered with smoke or full of smoke. It can also describe air, a room, or a smell that has smoke in it.
- The room felt hot and smoky.
- The kitchen was smoky after cooking.
- We left because the bar was too smoky.
- 2.
Having the smell or taste of smoke. It is often used for food, drink, or flavour.
- The cheese has a smoky flavour.
- I like smoky barbecue sauce.
- This tea tastes smoky and strong.
- 3.
Dark, grey, or cloudy in a way that suggests smoke. It can describe eyes, colours, or the sky.
- The mountains looked smoky in the distance.
- She has smoky grey eyes.
- The sky turned smoky before the rain.
Adinary Nuance
Smoky is more about the look, smell, or feel of smoke. It is not the same as 'smoked', which often describes food preserved or cooked with smoke. It is also different from 'foggy', which suggests mist, not smoke. Use 'smoky' when smoke is part of the image or flavour.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ám khói
- Spanish
- ahumado
- Chinese
- 烟熏的
- Japanese
- 煙っぽい
- Korean
- 연기가 자욱한
Etymology
Smoky comes from smoke, with the adjective ending -y. It has been used in English since the Old English period to describe something like smoke or full of smoke.
Common phrases
smoky airsmoky flavoursmoky barsmoky eyes
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is smoky used for taste as well as smell?
- Yes. People often use smoky for the taste or smell of food and drinks.
- What is the difference between smoky and smoked?
- Smoky describes a smoke-like smell, look, or taste. Smoked usually means food cooked or preserved with smoke.
- Is smoky a common word in English?
- Yes, it is common in everyday English, especially for smell, air, and food.