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

Park’s makeup was bronzy, rounded out with a subtle smoky eye. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2026

Runways at Gucci, Proenza Schouler, and Valentino sealed the deal with a palette that ranged from deep denim smoky eyes to soft washes of baby blue. — Loren Savini, Allure, 6 Nov. 2026

Most stands steam their dogs, but the charring approach here adds a smoky flavor and crisper texture. — Amy Cavanaugh, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

The two sides fired white, smoky volleys, their guns making a black-powder hiss-bang. — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 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