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

Rich and smoky salmon pairs well with sweet cherry tomatoes, and serving with brown rice or quinoa rounds out a nutritious meal. —Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 1 May 2026

Suya skewers arrive next, smoky, peanut-dusted, and impossibly tender. —Carrie Honaker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026

Our smoky field pea hummus is another great example. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 May 2026

The chain’s sandwich options include the farmhouse (bacon, ham, cheddar, country pepper schmear on a cheesy hashbrown gourmet bagel), and the all-nighter (double egg and American cheese, smoky chipotle aioli on a cheesy hashbrown gourmet bagel). —Jenna Thompson april 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 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