variants or less commonly smokey
smokier; smokiest
1
: emitting smoke especially in large quantities
a smoky fireplace
2
a
: having the characteristics of or resembling smoke
a smoky haze
b
: suggestive of smoke especially in flavor or odor
3
a
: filled with smoke
a smoky room
b
: made dark or black by or as if by smoke
4
: having a low throaty quality
a smoky voice
smokily adverb
smokiness noun

Examples of smoky in a Sentence

Her dress was a smoky blue. Her smoky voice drew me in. She gave him a smoky look.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is the perfect counterpoint to the rich, smoky bacon. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 19 July 2025 In 2018, she was spotted at SiriusXM Studios rocking an ombré blonde cropped cut, smoky purple shadow, and a nude lip—still serving, still unbothered. Larry Stansbury, Essence, 18 July 2025 The Motown Philly, a Detroit-style take on the Philly cheesesteak, features hunks of shredded beef, peppers, onions and mushrooms; and the Pear Necessities consists of a sweet-savory medley of juicy pears, spinach leaves, smoky bacon, and feta, topped off with a scribble of honey. Lyndsay C. Green, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 July 2025 Flames could be seen shooting from the roof in a video shared by Boston Fire as figures exited through the smoky front doorway. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for smoky

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of smoky was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smoky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smoky. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

smoky

adjective
variants also smokey
smokier; smokiest
1
: giving off smoke especially in large quantities
smoky stoves
2
: resembling or suggestive of smoke
a smoky flavor
3
: filled with or darkened by smoke
a smoky room
smokily adverb
smokiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on smoky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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