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

Mermaid waves, smoky eyeshadow, and a matte mauve pout finished off her Friday night look. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 21 Feb. 2026

Canned chipotles in adobo are the secret to the lovely smoky flavor in this meatless soup. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026

Creamy rice, smoky sausage and cheese make this feel like a warm hug for the hangry people in your life. —Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026

The bowl is served with a banana leaf that is torched at the table to add a smoky flavor to the rice and shredded pork. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 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