smoky

adjective

ˈsmō-kē 

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

ˈsmō-kə-lē 

adverb

smokiness

ˈsmō-kē-nəs 

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

During the street takeover in the Harbor Gateway area, people could be seen hanging out of cars and spinning doughnuts in the intersection amid smoky clouds of burning rubber. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

Cooks tend the iconic grill in full view, sending up smoky aromas and satisfying sizzles that are the restaurant’s heartbeat. —Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 20 Mar. 2026

The mesquite comes into play during the malting process, similarly to how peat is used to make smoky scotches on Islay or other regions. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2026

The robot carries a hose that glows in dark, smoky environments. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing smoky

• smoky quartz
• smoky topaz

Rhymes for smoky

• cloche
• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• karaoke

Kids Definition

smoky

adjective

variants also smokey

ˈsmō-kē 

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

-kə-lē 

adverb

smokiness

-kē-nəs 

noun