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

For Sky Ferreira, that meant a smoky charcoal eye brought all the way up to the brow bone; on Benee, a sculptural eyeliner flick; for Naomi Sharon, chromatic glam that traveled across her eyes, lips, and cheekbones. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026

Perhaps some of his future guests will come armed with hotter takes, or juicier gossip, to avail the show’s relaxed host in his smoky garage. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026

From there, pork is key to layering in the essential salty and smoky flavor—specifically a ham bone and bacon. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026

The Trujillos and their three children were not home, but their son came home to the brick house, opened the front door, and found the place in smoky flames. —Alan Gionet, CBS News, 4 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