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

Whether your game day food lineup includes staples such as barbecue and burgers or wings and hot dogs, rosé complements both smoky flavors and spicy dishes while remaining light enough to enjoy outdoors. — Katie Kelly Bell, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

For a smokier taste, toss the tomato, bell pepper, and onion in a little bit of oil and roast in an oven at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

Roasted Red Pepper-Chipotle Hummus Roasted red peppers and chipotle peppers give this hummus recipe a smoky flavor. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Although skies are still smoky across portions of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies, not much is blowing east of there. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 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