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

Her light brunette hair fell in cascading waves under her hat and down her back, while makeup was kept minimal with a smoky eye and nude lip. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 9 Nov. 2025

Think of it as pimento cheese’s rowdy cousin, creamy with cream cheese and sharp Cheddar, smoky from plenty of bacon, and punched up with tangy pickled jalapeños. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025

The music is loud, the front patio is smoky and the beer comes out sufficiently sudsy into the plastic cups. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 7 Nov. 2025

Makeup highlights included smoky eyes, bold brows and a deep red lip provided by artist Saisha Beecham. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025

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